The Martyrdom of Saint Peter
Medium
Red chalk; pen, brown ink and wash added for the principal figures
Dimensions
14 3/16 x 9 1/8in. (36 x 23.2cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1971
Accession Number
1971.222.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Martyrdom of Saint Peter*, a compelling drawing by Giovanni Battista Ricci, also known as Giovanni Battista da Novara, active from 1537 to 1627. This 16th- to 17th-century Italian artist captures the dramatic moment of Saint Peter's crucifixion, a pivotal scene in Christian tradition where the humble apostle, deemed unworthy to die like Christ, was martyred upside down in Rome around 64 AD. Ricci's work reflects the era's intense focus on religious devotion amid the Counter-Reformation, inviting viewers to contemplate faith and sacrifice. Crafted in red chalk with pen, brown ink, ...