The Denial of Peter
c. 1624–28
Medium
oil on wood
Dimensions
unframed: 28 × 45.5 cm · framed: 43.8 × 61 × 6.4 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
European Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin
Accession Number
1972.169
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
About this artwork
Wtewael depicted the moment after the Last Supper when the apostle Peter (at the left) denied knowing Jesus in order to protect himself from Roman soldiers searching for Christ's followers. Few works by this artist are known, and he draws on an unusual combination of styles. The dramatic use of light derives from Dutch followers of the Italian painter Caravaggio, in vogue around 1625, while the twisting bodies, startlingly low viewpoint, and tight detailing come from a more refined, courtly mode...