The Crucifixion of St Peter
When was the Council of Trent?
1543-63
What are the birth and death dates of Caravaggio?
1572-1610
Date
1600
Size
230 cm × 175 cm
What styles does Caravaggio reject with his low-brow figures and coarse compositions?
High Renaissance and Mannerism
What emotions does Caravaggio's intense naturalism draw from the viewer?
Horror and discomfort
What is in the foreground?
Rock- on which the church is built- Simon called Peter by Jesus meaning 'the rock'
What colour is Peter's loin cloth and why?
White- divinity
What was the altarpiece?
Assumption of the Virgin- Carracci Rivalry between him and Caravaggio to produce best Baroque painting
Why is the penitential mood of the painting's suitable?
Because Cerasi had died whilst the work was in progress and left his money to a hospital
Where is Peter's robe and what colour is it?
Bottom right corner Ultramarine specified by Cerasi- Caravaggio dulled it down to fit with earthy colour scheme
Artist
Caravaggio
What happened to Cerasi and his money?
Cerasai died whilst the work was in progress Left his wealth to the Hospital of St Maria Consolazione
Location
Cerasi Chapel, St Maria del Popolo
What led Cerasi to chose Caravaggio?
Cerasi- Treasurer-General to the Pope Was a colleague of Cardinal Vincenzo Giustiniani- was a friend of del Monte- may have suggested Caravaggio
Why is the composition simple and uncluttered?
Council of Trent aims- clear narrative- easy to understand and educate illiterate
How is the composition Baroque?
Figures pushed to front of picture plane Spill into viewer's world No distracting background scene
What is significant about the labourers position sand poses?
Form a second cross shape Faces hidden- sinister- unenlightened- contrast with Peter
What is significant about the light?
From top left- hidden light source- divine light Illuminates Peter- adds muscle definition and drama
How does the position of the cross create drama and dynamism?
It is poised midway between the ground and its upright position
Who was St Peter?
One of twelve disciples Walked on water and denied Jesus three times after his arrest Bishop of Rome- first Pope Crucified under Nero- asked to be upside down as unworthy to die same as Christ
How does the painting relate to the viewer?
Life size figures Contemporary clothing Ordinary people- dirty feet and visible physical effort
Who had previously attempted the subject matter?
Michelangelo in the 1540s Pauline Chapel, next to the Sistine Unusual for these scenes to go together
Patron
Monsignor Tiberio (Cardinal) Cerasi
What colours are used in the painting?
Ochre, Umber, Carbon Black, Lead White, Verdigris
Media
Oil on canvas
What media was specified in the commission?
Oil on two cypress panels Two initial attempts set aside- Cerasi unhappy Wood does not absorb as well as canvas- chiaroscuro difficult- changed to canvas
What was St Maria del Popolo the start of?
One of the pilgrimage routes into and through Rome (Augustinian)
Who was the painting aimed at?
Poor and lowly people- the ordinary public
Why were Peter and Paul an appropriate subject matter?
Regarded as founders of Catholic faith in Rome Believed martyred and buried in the city Founders of the Apostolic See
How many labourers are there?
Three
Where are primary colours used and why?
Top workmen's trousers and Peter's robe- blue Middle labourer's jacket- red Bottom workemen's trousers- yellow To attract eye and draw it across composition
Who was Caravaggio's sponsor who got him jobs?
del Monte
