1618
oil
canvas
From the collection of National Museum of Western Art
The Liberation of St. Peter is a 1618 oil by Hendrick ter Brugghen, a Dutch Golden Age work, held at National Museum of Western Art.
This painting depicts a dramatic scene with three men and an angel. The central figure, an older man with a long white beard, is being freed from his prison cell by an angel. The angel, with dark wings and a white and blue robe, grasps the man's arm and pulls him upward. To the left, a guard in armor and a helmet looks on, holding a chain and a spear. The scene is set in a dimly lit cell, with the only light source coming from above, casting a warm glow on the figures. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and drama, drawing the viewer's attention to the central action. The painting's focus on light and shadow creates a sense of tension and emotion, drawing the viewer into the scene. If you're interested in exploring more works that use chiaroscuro, look up the technique next.
Hendrick Jansz ter Brugghen (or Terbrugghen; 1588 – 1 November 1629) was a Dutch painter of genre scenes and religious subjects.
See the richer artist page
