Reading
Three routes to a name
In Perugino, follow the keys from Christ to Peter. In Reni, find the long staff beside James. In the workshop of Simone Martini, follow the lettering by Matthias. Cover the titles until you have described one visible detail for each. Then check the sources for the names and attributions.
Words a gallery visitor can use
Ask another viewer to locate your evidence without naming the saint. “Next to the hand at the centre” or “beside the halo on the gold ground” points to a checkable feature. “He looks like an apostle” cannot be tested in the same way.
Test your caption
Try this with the three works in the visual study. For each one, point to a small area before writing a name. A set of keys changes hands in the first work. In the second, a staff suggests a pilgrim and the museum identifies James. In the third, the name is painted into the picture. Your source of confidence changes with each identification.
Key takeaway
A strong identification points the next viewer to something they can inspect.
Visual study
Where does Perugino show what the kneeling man receives?
Choose one of the three areas of the artwork.
View the complete works and their labels
Christ stands to the left of the kneeling Peter. The large keys connect their hands above the patterned pavement.
Pietro Perugino · Sistine Chapel, VaticanThe shaft of the pilgrim’s staff rises past James’s shoulder while his joined hands rest near his chest.
Guido Reni · Museum of Fine Arts, HoustonPainted letters beside the halo identify Matthias, who holds a green book against his chest.
Workshop of Simone Martini · c. 1317–1319 · CC0Other depictions of these apostles
Study gallery
Saint Peter
Study notesLook for the keys. In scenes of the denial, a rooster or Peter’s hands drawn to his chest can identify the same apostle.
Key attributes
Keys
Saint Peter
Study notesLook for the keys. In scenes of the denial, a rooster or Peter’s hands drawn to his chest can identify the same apostle.
Key attributes
Keys
Saint Peter
Study notesLook for the keys. In scenes of the denial, a rooster or Peter’s hands drawn to his chest can identify the same apostle.
Key attributes
Keys
Apostle study cards
Apostle profile
Saint Peter
Fisherman and spokesman of the Twelve.
Memory hook: Keys held or received
Visual examples
Saint Peter
Study notesFisherman and spokesman of the Twelve.
Key attributes
Keys
Saint Peter
Study notesFisherman and spokesman of the Twelve.
Key attributes
Keys
Apostle profile
Saint James the Greater
James, son of Zebedee and brother of John, became the patron of pilgrims to Compostela.
Memory hook: A pilgrim staff
Visual examples
Saint James the Greater
Study notesJames, son of Zebedee and brother of John, became the patron of pilgrims to Compostela.
Key attributes
Staff
Saint James the Greater
Study notesJames, son of Zebedee and brother of John, became the patron of pilgrims to Compostela.
Apostle profile
Saint Matthias
Chosen by lot to take Judas Iscariot’s place among the apostles.
Memory hook: An axe in some portraits
Visual examples
Saint Matthias
Study notesChosen by lot to take Judas Iscariot’s place among the apostles.
Key attributes
Axe
Saint Matthias
Study notesChosen by lot to take Judas Iscariot’s place among the apostles.
Practice
Answer notebook
0 / 2 answeredMore practice
Who is this apostle?
Scan attributes first — then choose a name.
Quick check
Quick check
Attribute checklist
Tap each attribute once you can picture it in art for this lesson.