Apostle Saint Peter 1610 - 1614

El Greco painted Apostle Saint Peter, sometime between 1608 and 1614, likely in Toledo, Spain. He was working, of course, within a society dominated by the institutions of the Catholic Church, which was also a major patron of the arts. In this painting, the Apostle Peter is identifiable by his white beard, the keys to heaven that he holds in his left hand and his halo. It's impossible to ignore the importance of the keys, which are the symbol of the Catholic Church itself, and its claim to authority on Earth. The use of elongated forms and dramatic lighting creates an ethereal and spiritual atmosphere. The historian can learn about the painting and its meaning through examination of the archives of the Catholic Church, along with other historical documents. The meaning of art changes depending on historical and institutional context.