S. Peter døber Centurion Cornelius. (Apostelhist. 10, 47-48). 1671 - 1738

Curator: This drawing, attributed to Hendrik Krock, created sometime between 1671 and 1738, depicts a scene titled 'S. Peter döber Centurion Cornelius. (Apostelhist. 10, 47-48).' The media includes ink and charcoal drawings. Editor: It feels so dynamic! The figures are all leaning and reaching, caught in a moment of intense activity. The use of primarily reddish-brown ink gives the piece a sense of warmth, almost like old parchment. Curator: The artwork narrates a biblical episode, specifically from the Book of Acts where Saint Peter baptizes the Roman centurion Cornelius. Baptism symbolizes the entrance into a Christian community and its values, welcoming all regardless of their background. Editor: The composition definitely enhances that theme. Peter is central, radiating light, doesn’t he? His gesture, so close to Cornelius, creates an intimate focal point amid all the swirling chaos. The use of shadow and line weight really gives volume and life to those draperies. Curator: Precisely! The Roman soldiers, a cohort present, are rendered distinct with their attire but equally engaged. Even the angel floating at the top adds an ethereal stamp of divine approval. These are powerful motifs of baroque art—an emphatic assertion of faith made vividly personal. Editor: The loose style—visible sketches—is striking considering the grand theme. Does that contribute to the immediacy, make the scene feel witnessed rather than staged? I wonder if Krock saw that as important to the scene, this element of the real unfolding on paper. Curator: I would argue it amplifies its psychological impact, yes. It humanizes the narrative, offering it less as didactic iconography and more as a moment of profound change. Consider the symbolism of cleansing implied within. Editor: It’s easy to get lost in the energy of line here, which really brings it to life and makes for something timeless! Curator: I agree; it gives weight to a sacred conversion, a dialogue between cultures marked down with a unique aesthetic sensibility, which helps carry the narrative across eras.