Apostel Petrus met twee sleutels en een boek 1583

Agostino Carracci created this print of the Apostle Peter with etching in the late 16th century. Notice the concentration of fine lines which create areas of dark shading and the contrast with blank space. The etching captures the apostle, identifiable by his keys and book, set against a landscape that suggests both divinity and humanity. Peter's figure is constructed using linear patterns that define form and texture, and the composition directs our gaze upwards, following the lines to his face. His halo, simply etched, contrasts with the detailed depiction of his robes, where lines suggest depth and weight. We can decode this imagery through the lens of semiotics. The keys are not just objects, but signs representing Peter's authority. His bare feet and the discarded papal tiara serve as visual markers, perhaps challenging traditional representations of religious figures. The rigorous use of line and form in Carracci's print prompts us to think about how the medium itself contributes to the meaning of the artwork. It is through these formal elements that Carracci invites a re-evaluation of sacred representation.