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 |
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| Gallery label |
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| 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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