Collection Online
Saint Peter

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

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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