Christ’s Charge to Peter c. 1616

Peter Paul Rubens’ “Christ’s Charge to Peter,” created around 1616, depicts a pivotal moment in the Bible. Jesus, standing bare-chested and radiating light, entrusts Peter with the keys to Heaven, symbolizing the authority bestowed upon the Apostle. This Baroque masterpiece showcases Rubens’ signature dynamism, with figures arranged in a spiral composition that draws the viewer’s eye to the central exchange. The painting's dramatic use of light and shadow further emphasizes the sacred event, while the inclusion of lambs symbolizes the flock that Peter will shepherd.