St. Peter
Figure
16th century (made)
16th century (made)
| Place of origin |
Seated figure of St. Peter, wearing a cope and holding keys in his right hand and an open bible in his left hand. He was the leader of the apostles. He was called Simon, a brother of St Andrew, who introduced him to Christ. He became the first bishop of Rome. From early times Peter was invoked as a universal saint, and as the doorkeeper of heaven, hence the keys.
This figure was originally brightly painted. It would probably have been set in a church, on a console or ledge on one of the nave columns, with candles burning before it.
This figure was originally brightly painted. It would probably have been set in a church, on a console or ledge on one of the nave columns, with candles burning before it.
Object details
| Object type | |
| Title | St. Peter (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved oak |
| Brief description | Figure, oak, St. Peter, Netherlandish, 16th century |
| Physical description | Oak figure, seated figure of St. Peter, wearing a cope and holding keys in his right hand and an open bible in his left hand. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | St Peter
About 1510–20
Medieval Christians felt a deep affinity for the saints.
They saw them as heavenly helpers, pleading with God
to be merciful towards mankind.
One of the most popular saints was St Peter, the first
Pope. He was often shown holding the keys to Heaven
and wearing his papal tiara. This figure was originally
brightly painted. It would probably have been set in a
church, on a console or ledge on one of the nave columns,
with candles burning before it.
Southern Netherlands
Oak
Given by Miss Joan Hurst through the Art Fund
Museum no. A.4-2002(26/11/2010) |
| Credit line | Given by Joan Hurst through Art Fund |
| Object history | Given by Miss Joan Hurst through the Art Fund. Historical significance: St Peter was one of the most popular saints and the first Pope. He was often shown holding the keys to heaven and wearing his papal tiara. |
| Historical context | This figure would probably have been set in a church, on a console or ledge on one of the nave column, with candles burning before it. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Seated figure of St. Peter, wearing a cope and holding keys in his right hand and an open bible in his left hand. He was the leader of the apostles. He was called Simon, a brother of St Andrew, who introduced him to Christ. He became the first bishop of Rome. From early times Peter was invoked as a universal saint, and as the doorkeeper of heaven, hence the keys. This figure was originally brightly painted. It would probably have been set in a church, on a console or ledge on one of the nave columns, with candles burning before it. |
| Bibliographic reference | Williamson, Paul, ‘Recent Acquisitions (2000-06) of sculpture at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London’, in: The Burlington Magazine, CXLVIII, December, 2006, p. 891, fig X |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.4-2002 |
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| Record created | September 12, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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