Saint Peter
Peter Paul Rubens
PETER PAUL RUBENS, c.1617. OIL ON PANEL.
Saint Peter was the rock upon which Jesus built his church. A fisherman from humble origins, he gained a spiritual authority beyond any apostle and it was he, as depicted here, who held the keys to heaven. In Ruben’s portrait, the duality of Peter is clear; his upward gaze towards the spiritual realm is countered by his physical heft, the labourers body obvious beneath his thick cloak. Ruben’s painted many apostles, as collections of individual portraits were the vogue of the day, and this work of Peter most likely once had a companion piece of another Saint, possible Phillip, though we cannot know for sure. The work is simple and striking, it deals not with fancy nor flourish but is austere, holy and powerful. Rubens shows his mastery of light and detail, the dark ochre tones of his robe seem impossibly luminescent against the dark background and something of divinity is captured in but an expression, a grasped hand and hopeful eyes.