The Denial of Peter 1605

Adam Elsheimer's "The Denial of Peter" (1605) is a powerful pen and ink drawing that captures the biblical scene where Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, denies knowing his master. The artist utilizes expressive lines to portray the figures' emotional turmoil, with Peter's slumped posture and averted gaze contrasting sharply with the accusatory gazes of the surrounding figures. The drawing's dramatic composition and the use of chiaroscuro create a sense of immediacy and tension, emphasizing the gravity of Peter's betrayal. This drawing, indicative of Elsheimer's masterful use of line and composition, exemplifies the artist's short but influential career.