Reading
Similar faces, different objects
Compare Peter in Rubens’s portrait with Andrew in El Greco’s. Both have beards. Follow the small metal object in Peter’s hand, then the long oblique timbers behind Andrew. These shapes work at different scales. The keys require a close view, while the cross changes the silhouette of the whole figure.
Brothers without their attributes
If the painting shows Jesus speaking to two men on a shore, a shared net establishes their occupation. Before assigning individual names, check the work’s title, the chapter it illustrates and whether another pair of fishermen occupies the background. Some scenes establish the brothers only as a pair.
Key takeaway
Give each name the degree of certainty that its own evidence allows.
Visual study
Compare the keys with the beard and receding hairline. The keys provide the more specific clue.
Peter Paul RubensAndrew stands against a landscape with long, diagonally crossing timbers behind him.
El Greco · 1610 · Public domainOther 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 Andrew
Peter’s brother, often represented with a diagonal cross.
Memory hook: Two crossing diagonals
Visual examples
Saint Andrew
Study notesPeter’s brother, often represented with a diagonal cross.
Key attributes
Cross
Saint Andrew
Study notesPeter’s brother, often represented with a diagonal cross.
Compare at a glance
Peter and Andrew
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 Andrew
Study notesTwo beams crossing diagonally form Andrew’s saltire. In scenes of his calling, he may instead appear with Peter and the fishing nets.
Key attributes
Cross
Keys point to Peter, a saltire to Andrew. In fishing scenes both may share one net.
Practice
Answer notebook
0 / 1 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.