Artwork

The Calling of St Peter

The Calling of St Peter, by Unknown, oil, 1709
The Calling of St Peter, by Unknown, oil, 1709

The Calling of St Peter is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Unknown. It dates from 1709 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The oil painting depicts a coastal scene where several figures gather on a rocky shoreline.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work, titled The Calling of St Peter, portrays Saint Peter within a religious context. As a painting after Nicolas Poussin, it belongs to the tradition of religious art that illustrates key Christian narratives, specifically the calling of Saint Peter. This underscores the painting’s devotional purpose and its emphasis on Peter’s apostolic role.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, depicting Saint Peter in a religious scene. It measures 872 cm in height and 870 cm in width, dating from 1709. The composition follows the classicizing approach associated with Nicolas Poussin, rendered in oil paint.

History & Provenance
It was exhibited in the museum's 1966 collection display and later featured in the 2005 exhibition European Masters of the Baroque.

The work titled The Calling of St Peter was created in 1709 as an oil painting on canvas. It portrays Saint Peter and belongs to the religious genre. The painting measures 872 centimeters in height and 870 centimeters in width. It is part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst.

The Calling of St Peter is held at the Statens Museum for Kunst, with the inventory number KMS1966:123. It was exhibited in the museum's 1966 collection display and later featured in the 2005 exhibition European Masters of the Baroque.

The work measures 872 cm by 870 cm and is classified as a religious painting created in oil on canvas in 1709.

Legacy

The work's later influence and legacy can be seen in its continued presence in major museum collections, particularly at the Statens Museum for Kunst where it remains part of the institution's religious art holdings. The painting's composition and subject matter have contributed to ongoing scholarly discussion of religious art within museum contexts, reflecting its enduring significance in art historical narratives. Its preservation and display underscore its role in shaping contemporary understandings of 18th-century religious painting.

Overview

The oil painting depicts a coastal scene where several figures gather on a rocky shoreline. A man dressed in a white robe gestures toward the sea, while another, clad in darker attire, kneels and reaches outward. A small boat drifts nearby, and a distant cityscape is visible under a sky filled with dramatic clouds and light.

Context

Set within a maritime environment, the work reflects a tradition of biblical or allegorical scenes rendered on canvas in oil, where dramatic lighting underscores narrative tension. The inclusion of a distant city and a boat situates the event within a broader world, linking the immediate human drama to a larger, perhaps theological, context.

The Calling of St Peter
The Calling of St Peter, Unknown

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

Frequently asked questions

Who painted The Calling of St Peter?

The Calling of St Peter was painted by Unknown in 1709.

Where can I see The Calling of St Peter?

The Calling of St Peter is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is The Calling of St Peter?

The Calling of St Peter is associated with High Baroque Italian.