Saint Pierre
Original title: Saint Pierre
kurzbeschreibung
Kneeling on a rock in a landscape, Saint Peter gazes upward. Jean-Baptiste Haussard made this print in 1726 as an etching and engraving. The subject ties the apostle to attributes such as the keys and a rooster.
Description
Peter kneels at the center, his face turned toward the sky. A billowing robe with a sash wraps around him; the keys hang at his side. A wall with a rooster and a tree emerge in the background, and the landscape feels calm and natural. The sky is dark and misty, and the whole image is in monochrome grays. The layout is symmetrical and framed by an architectural structure; along the bottom edge are artist and publisher details and an inscription.
Context
The Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Haussard worked as a copperplate engraver in the 18th century and was known for his reproductive prints. This sheet was made in 1726, in an era when religious printmaking played a significant role in devotional practice. The scene follows the iconography of Peter, venerated as the first pope and the rock of the church; the rooster recalls his denial of Christ. The work probably appeared as a single sheet or as part of a series of religious images.
Impact
The gloomy, misty mood and Peter's upward posture evoke a sense of devotion and expectation. Clear lines and the symmetrical arrangement give the print a calm, dignified presence that invites contemplation.
Technique
Etching and engraving are combined here, producing precise linework and fine gray tones. The monochrome palette results from printing with black ink on paper; hatching and stippling create different tonal values. The plate was trimmed to 34.3 × 22.1 cm, suggesting later framing or mounting.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)