Christus overhandigt de sleutels aan Petrus (rechter deel) 1680 - 1694

This is Jean Pesne’s engraving, “Christus overhandigt de sleutels aan Petrus (rechter deel)” made in the 17th-century. Pesne, born into a family of artists, here depicts a pivotal moment in Christian theology: Christ’s transfer of authority to Saint Peter. Consider the social and religious context of Pesne’s time, a period marked by the rise of absolutism and the Counter-Reformation. The Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority. Images like these were powerful tools in this endeavor. The act of Christ handing the keys to Peter, symbolizes the divine sanction of the Church’s power and its earthly dominion. The weight of this moment is palpable. Peter, often seen as the first Pope, kneels humbly as Christ bestows upon him not just keys, but a legacy. This piece invites us to reflect on the narratives of power, faith, and succession that continue to shape our world. It presents a visual representation of the handing down of responsibility, a visual contract between the divine and the mortal.