Saint Peter Receiving The Keys To Heaven, Circle Of Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

Circle of Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

Title: Saint Peter Receiving the Keys to Heaven

Period: 17th century

Medium: Oil on canvas

Measurements: Overall measures 123cm x 99cm x 8cm and the painting itself measures 92cm x 70cm

Provenance:

A superb 17th century oil-on-canvas depiction of Saint Peter Receiving the Keys to Heaven. The beautifully composed scene captures a moment of profound symbolic meaning in the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church when Christ gives the keys of Heaven to the Apostle Peter, signifying the divine authority of the papacy and the foundation of the Church itself.

The painting illustrates a passage from the Gospel of Matthew (16:19), where Christ declares to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The present work shows Christ with his hand on the head of Saint Peter while above an Angel holds the keys to heaven in one hand, the other pointing upwards towards the figure of God.

At the top of the painting we see God the father pointing to a tablet, possibly a record of the authority entrusted to Peter. God is surrounded by heavenly beings while the figures of Jesus and Peter below are being watched by a crowd of onlookers. The attribution to the circle of Rubens is based on the style and composition of the painting – the dynamic and dramatic nature of the scene, executed with rich and vibrant colours, point to the influence of Rubens.

The present work shows similarities to the work of two of Rubens' pupils - Erasmus Quellinus II (1607–1678) and Cornelis Schut I (1597–1655);

The overall style of the present work appears to be most comparable to the work of Rubens hence the attribution to the circle of Rubens.

The beautiful tonality of this painting and the compositional arrangement of the figures is testament to the skill and talent of the artist. It is skilfully executed and presents beautifully.

Condition report: The painting is in very good overall condition having been lined approximately 80 years ago. It has had a recent light clean and has craquelure throughout commensurate with its antiquity. The tonality is good, paint surface stable and the canvas is in good tension. The later frame has been refinished and repaired and is in good condition.