Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

The Martyrdom of St Peter

Image credit: The Henry Barber Trust, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham

How you can use this image

 

This image is available to be shared and re-used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (CC BY-NC-ND).

You can reproduce this image for non-commercial purposes and you are not able to change or modify it in any way.

Wherever you reproduce the image you must attribute the original creators (acknowledge the original artist(s) and the person/organisation that took the photograph of the work) and any other rights holders.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find more images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Download

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

According to tradition, Saint Peter, Christ’s closest disciple and the first pope, chose to be crucified upside down to avoid comparison with his master. Here, the two executioners, shown with brutal realism, heave the cross upwards. One looks directly at the viewer, including us in a scene which seems to take place only feet away. The stormy sky is split by a light which dramatically illuminates the saint. A pagan idol looks down from the left. It was Peter’s refusal to worship pagan gods which resulted in his martyrdom by the Emperor Nero.
Title

The Martyrdom of St Peter

Date

c.1656–1660

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 194.5 x W 194.3 cm

Accession number

71.1

Acquisition method

purchased, 1971

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TS England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue