Reading
On the shore
Matthew describes Simon Peter and Andrew casting a net when Jesus calls them. Farther on, James and John are mending nets with their father. In a painting of this episode a boat, a shoreline and a second pair of brothers can explain why four fishermen appear in one scene.
Andrew brings his brother
In John 1, Andrew follows Jesus after hearing John the Baptist and then seeks out Simon. The meeting with Jesus leads to Simon’s new name, Cephas. Compare that sequence with a later portrait in which the artist condenses Peter’s story into a single pair of keys.
Key takeaway
Nets establish a shared occupation. A named episode can separate the brothers.
Visual study
Two men kneel before Christ in the foreground. The lake behind them joins several moments of the fishermen’s story.
Domenico Ghirlandaio · Sistine Chapel, VaticanOne hand rests on the chest. The keys lie lower down at the opposite side of the portrait.
El GrecoOther 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.