Spanish Renaissance school, mid-16th century.
"The Crucifixion of Saint Peter.
Oil on panel.
It presents restorations.
Measurements: 123 x 79 cm.
Due to the technical characteristics, such as the modelling of the forms, the tonalities used, the type of composition, and even the aesthetic details used in the treatment of the canvases that make up the scene, this work can be inscribed within the Renaissance school. The composition, which follows a classical pattern, is symmetrical, with the saint in the centre and the other figures in similar positions, so that the composition is balanced. This makes it easy to read the subject matter depicted. The treatment of colour is noteworthy, with a palette of bright, saturated colours that lends expressiveness to the work, thus harmonising with the dramatic subject matter depicted.
Saint Peter was martyred under Nero in the Circus of the Vatican Hill. The apocryphal text Acts of Peter, written in the 2nd century, relates that Peter died crucified upside down: "I beg the executioners, crucify me thus, with my head down, and not otherwise". The famous Latin phrase "Quo Vadis?" meaning "Where are you going?" comes from the same text, and goes like this: And Peter saith unto them, None of you go out with me, but I will go out alone, having changed the manner of my raiment. And as he was going out of the city, he saw the Lord enter into Rome. And when Peter saw him, he said, Lord, whither goest thou, Lord? (Quo Vadis? in the Latin translation) And the Lord said unto him, I go to Rome to be crucified. And Peter said to him: Lord, are you going to be crucified again? He said to him: Yes, Peter, I am going to be crucified again. And Peter turned in himself: and having beheld the Lord ascending into heaven, he returned to Rome, rejoicing and glorifying the Lord.