Landscape with the Calling of St. Peter

Art Historical Context

In the tranquil yet dynamic *Landscape with the Calling of. Peter*, Dutch artist Jacob Pynas captures a pivotal biblical moment from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus summons the fisherman Peter to become a "fisher of men." Created in the early 17th century using pen and brown ink on a modest sheet measuring 7 15/16 x 11 5/16 inches, this drawing exemplifies the emerging Dutch interest in integrating religious narratives with expansive natural settings. Pynas, active during the dawn of the Dutch Golden Age, drew inspiration from Caravaggesque tenebrism and Italian landscapes, blending dramatic human figures with lush trees, boats, and watery horizons. The medium of pen and brown ink lends itself to Pynas's fluid, expressive linework, allowing intricate details in foliage and rippling water while suggesting depth through cross-hatching and varied stroke widths. This technique was ideal for preparatory studies or independent works prized by collectors, highlighting the artist's skill in evoking atmosphere and movement on a small scale. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Rogers Fund in 1967, this piece from the Drawings and Prints department offers a window into 17th-century Europe's fusion of spirituality and secular observation, bridging biblical storytelling with the rising genre of landscape art that would define masters like Rembrandt. A gem for visitors seeking the intimate poetry of ink on paper.