Reading
Three figures before a dark ground
In The Denial of Saint Peter at the Met, a woman and an armed man direct attention towards Peter. Peter draws his hands towards himself. The museum connects the accusers’ three pointing fingers with his three denials. The painter gives the number a visible form.
A different conversation
John 21 puts Peter by the water after the Resurrection. Jesus asks three times whether Peter loves him and entrusts the flock to him. In a painting, a lakeshore, fish or sheep can shift the reading away from the courtyard at the time of the arrest.
Key takeaway
Repeated gestures can carry as much narrative information as an attribute.
Visual study
A soldier raises one finger and the woman two. The museum relates these gestures to the three accusations against Peter.
Caravaggio · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkOther 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
Practice
Answer notebook
0 / 1 answeredMore practice
Who is this apostle?
Scan attributes first — then choose a name.
Quick check
Attribute checklist
Tap each attribute once you can picture it in art for this lesson.