Marteldood van Petrus aan het kruis 1799

Reinier Vinkeles's 1799 etching, "Marteldood van Petrus aan het kruis," depicts the martyrdom of Saint Peter, a central figure in early Christianity. The artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, shows Peter being crucified upside down, a detail referenced in Christian tradition. The scene is rendered with dramatic detail, capturing the tension and pain of the execution, while also emphasizing the solemnity of the event. Vinkeles's mastery of line and shadow creates a powerful visual narrative, captivating viewers with its stark realism and religious weight.