The Denial of Saint Peter

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi)

1610 · Oil on canvas · European Paintings

Caravaggio’s late works, painted in Naples, depend for their dramatic effect on brightly lit areas standing in contrast to nearly black backgrounds. This painting, a marvel of narrative concision, was painted in the last months of Caravaggio’s life and marks an extreme stage in his revolutionary style. Standing before a fireplace, Peter is accused of being a follower of Jesus. The pointing finger of the soldier and two fingers of the woman allude to the three accusations and to Peter’s three denials. In 1613 this painting belonged to the artist Guido Reni, who received it from the engraver Luca Ciamberlano as compensation for debts.

Artist

Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi)

Date

1610

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Gift of Herman and Lila Shickman, and Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1997