Petrus ontvangt de sleutels 1624

Giovanni Battista Pasqualini created this print, "Petrus ontvangt de sleutels," using engraving techniques. The composition focuses on the interplay between divine and human realms, rendered through contrasting textures. The upper portion of the print features swirling figures of angels, creating a sense of ethereal movement. Below, the rigid lines of architectural elements anchor the scene. The figures are arranged in a carefully constructed tableau. Christ handing the keys to Saint Peter becomes a pivotal moment, emphasized through gesture and gaze. Pasqualini uses line and form to guide our eye through a semiotic landscape. The keys, as symbols, denote authority and spiritual power. This is further reinforced by the structural clarity with which Pasqualini renders the scene. The print underscores the Church's claim to divine authority, using the language of form to shape belief. The calculated arrangement and precise lines of the engraving reflect the broader cultural and philosophical concerns of its time, engaging with questions of power and representation.