Saint Peter 1581 - 1644

Bernardo Strozzi rendered this study of Saint Peter in ink on paper sometime between 1581 and 1644. Strozzi lived during a period when the Catholic Church was seeking to reaffirm its spiritual authority through art. The artist captures Peter in a moment of contemplation, finger pressed to his temple, perhaps pondering his faith or the weight of his responsibilities as one of Christ's apostles. The lines of the drawing are fluid, creating a sense of movement and capturing the saint's humanity. The choice to depict Peter, an ordinary fisherman, as a thinker aligns with the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on relatable, human saints. This drawing, though simple in its medium, invites us to reflect on the complexities of faith, leadership, and the inner lives of those we often see as paragons of virtue.