Right hand section of St Peter preaching to the apostles

Art Historical Context

Step into the intricate world of Renaissance printmaking with this diminutive yet masterful *Right hand section of St Peter preaching to the apostles*, created around 1540–50. Attributed to a stellar collaboration—design by Mannerist virtuoso Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola), with contributions from Polidoro da Caravaggio, Niccolò Vicentino, and pioneering chiaroscuro woodcut artist Ugo da Carpi—this fragment captures a pivotal biblical moment. St. Peter, the first pope, addresses the apostles, embodying themes of faith and early Christian leadership that resonated deeply in Counter-Reformation Europe. The artwork's brilliance lies in its medium: a chiaroscuro woodcut printed from three brown blocks, a sophisticated technique that layers tone to mimic the dramatic light-and-shadow effects of painting. Invented by Ugo da Carpi earlier in the century, this method elevated woodcuts from mere illustrations to sculptural, painterly objects, making high art accessible beyond oil paintings. At just 4 1/2 × 2 1/16 inches, its intimate scale invites close inspection, revealing the meticulous craftsmanship of Italian masters bridging design and execution. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Rogers Fund, 1922), this print highlights the era's innovative spirit, where Mannerist elegance met technical ingenuity, influencing printmaking across Europe. A testament to artistic teamwork, it draws viewers into the apostles' fervent gathering with timeless spiritual energy.

About the Artist

Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)|Polidoro da Caravaggio|Niccolò Vicentino|Ugo da Carpi · 1503–1540

Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, known as Parmigianino, was born on January 11, 1503, in Parma, into a family of artists. The eighth child of painter Filippo Mazzola and Donatella Abbati, he lost his father to the plague at age two and was raised by his uncles, Michele and Pier Ilario Mazzola, modestly talented painters who taught him the techniques of the craft. By his late teens, Parmigianino d...