Terms and conditions of use
Saint Peter
(1540s)
Medium
chiaroscuro woodcut printed from three (of four) blocks in grey and black inks
Measurements
40.8 × 21.3 cm (image and sheet, trimmed to block mark)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1970
Gallery location
16th & 17th Century Gallery - Painting and Sculpture
Mezzanine linked to Level 1, NGV International
About this work
Domenico Beccafumi stands apart in the history of the chiaroscuro woodcut for designing and cutting his own blocks, rather than using the services of professional woodcutters. A painter, draftsman and sculptor resident in Siena, Beccafumi took up printmaking late in his career, making nine chiaroscuro woodcuts in the 1540s and a further six prints that combined chiaroscuro woodcut with engraving. His chiaroscuro woodcuts are noteworthy for their bold draftsmanship, unconventional technique and fine handling of colour – qualities evident in this large print of the apostle Saint Peter, one of a group of four that marks the culmination of Beccafumi’s engagement with printmaking.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Siena, Italy
Catalogue/s Raisonné
Takahatake 72; Bartsch XII.71.14
Accession Number
P67-1970
Departments
International Prints / International Prints and Drawings
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Religion and Mythology
Subjects (specific)
apostles chiaroscuro woodcuts elderly keys (hardware) men (male humans) Peter, Saint (Christian character) saints
Movements
Renaissance