Martyrdom of Saint Peter
Panel
ca. 1525-1530 (made)
ca. 1525-1530 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Churches often ordered stained-glass windows painted with scenes from the lives of their patron saints. As the name suggests, the church of Saint-Pierre-du-Chatel was dedicated to St Peter. This panel is one of three that depict important episodes relating to Peter and the early years of the Christian church.
During his lifetime, Christ named Peter as the leader of the Apostles and thus the foundation stone (Latin petra) of the church.
Peter travelled to Rome on at least two occasions to spread the word of Christ. We know that he was executed there, probably during the period of persecution under the emperor Nero (AD 64–8). The earliest known account describing his death dates from the end of the 2nd century. Here Peter is shown being crucified upside down on a cross. Crucifixion was a common form of execution for non-Roman citizens, and tradition states that Peter refused to be crucified in the same manner as Christ.
During his lifetime, Christ named Peter as the leader of the Apostles and thus the foundation stone (Latin petra) of the church.
Peter travelled to Rome on at least two occasions to spread the word of Christ. We know that he was executed there, probably during the period of persecution under the emperor Nero (AD 64–8). The earliest known account describing his death dates from the end of the 2nd century. Here Peter is shown being crucified upside down on a cross. Crucifixion was a common form of execution for non-Roman citizens, and tradition states that Peter refused to be crucified in the same manner as Christ.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Martyrdom of Saint Peter (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Clear and coloured glass with painted details and silver stain. |
| Brief description | Stained glass window depicting three scenes from the life of St Peter. From the church of Saint-Pierre-du-Chatel in Rouen, France, c.1525-30. |
| Physical description | Stained glass panel depicting the crucifixion of St Peter. St Peter, in a long red gown, is shown upside-down. Two men on either side are tying his legs to the inverted cross. The slashing on the doublets of the two men who are tying Peter to the cross was done by abrading the flashed red on the clear glass. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | From Saint-Pierre-du-Châtel, Rouen Acquired from the Bernal Collection |
| Historical context | The same scenes are depicted in glass from Saint-Vincent in Rouen (now in Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc, Rouen) and in Notre-Dame du Grand-Andely, Les Andelys. They may have all derived from the same cartoon. |
| Production | The style of these windows has been associated with the workshops run by the followers of Arnoult de Nimègue |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Literary reference | New Testament |
| Summary | Churches often ordered stained-glass windows painted with scenes from the lives of their patron saints. As the name suggests, the church of Saint-Pierre-du-Chatel was dedicated to St Peter. This panel is one of three that depict important episodes relating to Peter and the early years of the Christian church. During his lifetime, Christ named Peter as the leader of the Apostles and thus the foundation stone (Latin petra) of the church. Peter travelled to Rome on at least two occasions to spread the word of Christ. We know that he was executed there, probably during the period of persecution under the emperor Nero (AD 64–8). The earliest known account describing his death dates from the end of the 2nd century. Here Peter is shown being crucified upside down on a cross. Crucifixion was a common form of execution for non-Roman citizens, and tradition states that Peter refused to be crucified in the same manner as Christ. |
| Associated objects |
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| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2209-1855 |
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| Record created | July 28, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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