Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter c. 1395 - 1400

This miniature painting, "Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter", is a beautiful example of illuminated manuscript art by Lorenzo Monaco. Created between 1395 and 1400, it portrays the iconic moment of Christ granting Saint Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. The scene is set within an intricately designed illuminated "S", the first letter of "Saint Peter", and is filled with rich gold, blue, and red hues. This miniature is notable for its delicate details, elegant figures, and masterful use of gold leaf. It is a prime example of the refined and devotional art of early Renaissance Florence.