Martelaarschap van Petrus 1596 - 1625

Nicolaes Lastman made this print of the Martyrdom of Saint Peter using engraving, a skilled technique that demands precision and control. Lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed, and the resulting image emphasizes clarity and detail. Lastman's focus on the muscular bodies of the executioners and the agonized saint highlights the physical labor involved in this act of violence, and the raw materiality of the human form. Note the tools lying on the ground – reminders of the work needed to construct the cross, and the grim task at hand. This print isn’t just a depiction of a religious scene. It’s also a product of its time, reflecting the era's complex relationship between artistic skill, religious conviction, and the realities of labor and power. Appreciating the making process allows us to see how this print engages with broader social and cultural issues.