St. Peter, from Apostles n.d.

Curator: So, here we have Martin Schongauer's "St. Peter, from Apostles," a small but mighty engraving on paper. No specific date is known for this print. Editor: What strikes me first is how incredibly detailed it is for such a small work. It feels monumental, even though I know it's not. And there's a certain solemnity...like he's about to deliver some really weighty news. Curator: Absolutely. Schongauer was a master of line. Look at the density of cross-hatching he uses to create shadow and form. His talent practically jumps off the paper, doesn't it? You notice the weightiness through this precise detail. Editor: I do. Tell me, what's with the key? It seems a bit...gaudy. Is there any symbolic function or intent there? Curator: That oversized key is St. Peter’s emblem—the keys to Heaven, traditionally. Schongauer emphasizes its importance by its sheer size and decorative qualities; he's not afraid to imbue religious iconography with, dare I say, a touch of the dramatic! Peter's role in Christian belief hinges on authority and access, doesn’t it? Editor: It's interesting how he positions the book and the key. One held so gently, almost reverentially, while the other seems almost…weapon-like, heavy in hand. Curator: Schongauer is so thoughtful in his compositional choices. He invites us to contemplate those competing facets: Peter the scholar and Peter the gatekeeper, a fascinating man of faith, no doubt! What lingers for me is this intimacy—the artist's skill transforming paper into a powerful image of faith, so many years later. Editor: For me, the appeal lies in seeing such complex emotion rendered with seemingly simple lines. Even though this portrait must be 500 years old or older, there's something very emotionally modern in this portrayal that makes this particular portrait hard to turn away from.