The Guards Outside the Prison, detail from 'The Liberation of St Peter' in the Stanza d'Eliodoro 1514

This detail from Raphael's fresco "The Liberation of St. Peter" depicts the guards outside the prison, painted in 1514. The scene is set at night, with the moon illuminating the guards' faces and armor. The guards are caught in a moment of surprise and confusion as St. Peter, miraculously freed by an angel, escapes their grasp. This dramatic moment, painted in Raphael's signature High Renaissance style, showcases his mastery of composition, light and shadow, and human expression. The artwork, housed in the Vatican Museums, serves as a reminder of the power of faith and the fragility of human authority.