The Crucifixion of Saint Peter

E66702

The Crucifixion of Saint Peter is a dramatic Baroque painting by Caravaggio depicting the apostle Peter being nailed to an inverted cross with intense realism and stark chiaroscuro.

Aliases (1)

Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Baroque painting
painting
religious painting
artHistoricalSignificance important work in development of Baroque naturalism
key example of Caravaggio’s Roman period
artist Caravaggio
basedOn Acts of Peter (apocryphal tradition)
Christian tradition of Peter’s martyrdom
countryOfOrigin Italy
creator Caravaggio
depicts Saint Peter
crucifixion of Saint Peter
executioners raising the cross
inverted crucifixion
nails being driven into the cross
old age of Saint Peter
physical struggle
genre Christian art
history painting
hasPerspective low viewpoint
hasTheme faith in suffering
humility
martyrdom for faith
hasVisualFeature dark background
diagonal composition
foreshortened figure of Saint Peter
limited color palette
strong contrasts of light and shadow
iconographicTheme martyrdom of apostles
persecution of early Christians
influenced depictions of martyrdom in Western art
later Baroque painters
languageOfWork none
mainSubject Saint Peter
martyrdom
movement Baroque
portrays Peter’s crucifixion upside down
physical labor of executioners
portraysEmotion resignation
spiritual strength
suffering
religion Christianity
style dramatic realism
subjectOf art historical analyses
religious studies discussions
timePeriodDepicted 1st century AD
usesTechnique chiaroscuro
tenebrism

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
The Crucifixion of Saint Peter ("crucifixion of Saint Peter")
depicts
Caravaggio
notableWork

Please wait…