Skip to main content

After El Greco, 'Saint Peter', perhaps early 17th century

Key facts
Full title Saint Peter
Artist After El Greco
Artist dates 1541 - 1614
Date made perhaps early 17th century
Medium and support oil on parchment, mounted on wood
Dimensions 20.3 × 15.9 cm
Acquisition credit Layard Bequest, 1916
Inventory number NG3131
Location Not on display
Collection Main Collection
Previous owners
Saint Peter
After El Greco
/

This may look like a portrait of an elderly man but his unusually dramatic expression suggests otherwise. He is Saint Peter, one of Christ’s apostles. We know this because his head is copied from a larger picture by El Greco, The Tears of Saint Peter (Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle), which focuses on the saint’s remorse – and repentance – at having denied his association with Christ.

This was a new subject in El Greco’s time and he made it his own, painting many versions. The original picture shows Saint Peter in a landscape, with Mary Magdalene visible in the background, walking away from Christ’s empty tomb after the Resurrection.

The scene emphasises the saint’s humanity through his sin and remorse. Such images were intended to strengthen support for the Catholic sacrament of Penance, which included confession, the message being that with repentance comes forgiveness.

Download image
Download low-resolution image

Download a low-resolution copy of this image for personal use.

License this image

License and download a high-resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.

License image
Download low-resolution image

This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.

Examples of non-commercial use are:

  • Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
  • Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media

The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.

As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.

Download low-resolution image

You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.

Creative Commons Logo