Freeing of Peter 

Jan Symonsz Pynas made this pen and wash drawing, “Freeing of Peter,” around 1620, likely in the Netherlands. The scene, though based on a biblical story, is set in an Italianate landscape, reflecting the cultural fascination of the Dutch Golden Age with the South. Look closely. The freeing of Saint Peter from prison might reflect the period’s debates about liberty and justice. The Dutch Republic was then a relatively new state, founded on principles of religious tolerance and political freedom after a long struggle against Spanish rule. The narrative of liberation would have resonated deeply with the Dutch, who had themselves fought for freedom from oppression. Understanding the cultural and historical context is critical to interpreting Pynas’s work. Exploring period literature, political pamphlets, and theological debates can enrich our understanding of the values and ideas circulating in Dutch society at the time. This is how we appreciate art’s power as a reflection of its own historical moment.