Reading
Three outlines
Choose Perugino’s keys, Reni’s staff and Bartholomew’s knife. For each, trace the outline from the hand to the far end. Describe teeth, a long shaft or a cutting edge. Only after that step add the traditional association with Peter, James or Bartholomew.
A word that goes too far
Review your notes for a detail borrowed from another work. Ribera’s knife portrait need not include the flayed skin seen in Michelangelo’s Last Judgement. Reni’s staff need not imply a painted shell. Remove any term for which you cannot find a visible shape in the selected picture.
Key takeaway
Each object in a caption should be findable in the picture it describes.
Visual study
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, HoustonRibera sets a knife against a dark background. The blade alludes to the martyrdom tradition.
Jusepe de RiberaOther 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 Bartholomew
An apostle named in the lists of the Twelve and conventionally shown with a knife.
Memory hook: A knife in an apostolic portrait
Visual examples
Saint Bartholomew
Study notesAn apostle named in the lists of the Twelve and conventionally shown with a knife.
Key attributes
Flaying Knife
Saint Bartholomew
Study notesAn apostle named in the lists of the Twelve and conventionally shown with a knife.
Key attributes
Flaying Knife
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.