Italian school; c. 1600.

Italian school; c. 1600.
"Martyrdom of St. Peter."
Oil on copper.
It has a period frame.
Measurements: 22 x 16,5 cm; 31,5 x 27 cm (frame).
Devotional image bathed in an intense and warm light. In the center of the composition, St. Peter, the first Pope, is crucified upside down, as tradition dictates. His body is shown in an idealized way without being marked by age and suffering. The cross, rough and weathered by time, rises above a landscape of great intensity, suggesting an uncertain and timeless place. At the foot of the cross, three characters responsible for the martyrdom are grouped together, the chromatic palette of the painting is rich and contrasting. The light, which falls directly on the figure of St. Peter, creates a luminous halo that separates him from the rest of the characters and makes him the center of attention.
The representation of the martyrdom of St. Peter was a recurring theme in the religious painting of the seventeenth century. This episode in the life of the apostle, narrated in the Acts of the Apostles, symbolized fidelity to Christ and the willingness to suffer for the faith. By depicting the crucifixion upside down, the artist underlined the humility and greatness of St. Peter, who, as the first Pope, had been called to confirm his brothers in the faith.
In addition to their religious significance, these paintings had a didactic and propagandistic function. Through striking and moving images, the artists sought to move the faithful and reinforce their devotion. The figure of St. Peter, as founder of the Church, became a role model for Christians of all times.