The Lives of the Saints through 100 Masterpieces

Peter

The Lives of the Saints 178 Peter February 22 and June 29 Saint Peter is the apostle who most often appears in the Gospels, which supplies artists with an abundance of episodes to illustrate, from his calling at the margins of Lake Tiberias to his denial in Caiaphas’s palace , where, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction, he said, “I do not know this man,” and the cock then crowed. Thisfowl is thus among the apostle’s symbols, but to a lesser degree than the keys, which refer to the promise of Christ: “I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19). Understandably, the symbolism of Saint Peter’s keys took on particular importance in Catholic iconography starting with the Reformation, for they demonstrated the legitimate primacy of the sovereign pontiff over all Christianity. It is impossible to overestimate Saint Peter’s role. He was present at the miraculous catch of fish; he walked on water to meet Christ; he was on Mount Tabor at the time of the Transfiguration; he drew the sword in defense of Jesus in the Mount of Olives; he ran to the empty tomb; he was witness to the Ascension, and on Pentecost, he was the first to go out and preach the Good News to the people of Jerusalem. Other episodes of his life, particularly his miracles, have been added to Saint Peter’s iconography, up to his crucifixion in Rome, head down out of humility. Benvenuto di Giovanni (1436–ca. 1518) The Keys of Saint Peter Pinacoteca Nazionale, Siena ...