Standing Figure of Saint Peter Holding Book and Keys. 1536 - 1615

Giovanni de' Vecchi's "Standing Figure of Saint Peter Holding Book and Keys" is a 16th-century pen and brown wash drawing, a study for a larger artwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The drawing depicts Saint Peter, a prominent figure in Christianity, with a book and keys, symbolizing his role as the keeper of Heaven's gates. The artist's meticulous depiction of the saint's drapery and facial features highlights his mastery of drawing, a core skill for artists of the Renaissance. This artwork demonstrates a typical approach to religious subject matter during this period, emphasizing both realism and symbolic meaning.