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The Tears of Saint Peter

ca. 1612–13
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 624

This early work by Ribera, who was Spanish by birth but spent his career in Italy, is first mentioned in Rome in 1644 in the collection of Cardinal Benedetto Monaldi Baldeschi. The painting shows Saint Peter after he has denied Christ, his eyes red with tears and his hands clasped in prayer. The figure’s pose embodies the crushing weight of his sin. Seen as a form of confession, such dramatic shedding of tears became central to Catholic devotional practices and was praised in poetry and song.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Tears of Saint Peter
  • Artist: Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto) (Spanish, Játiva 1591–1652 Naples)
  • Date: ca. 1612–13
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 63 3/4 x 45 in. (161.9 x 114.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Mrs. William M. Haupt, from the collection of Mrs. James B. Haggin, by exchange, and 2011 Benefit Fund, 2012
  • Object Number: 2012.416
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

Audio

Cover Image for 5212. The Penitent Saint Peter

5212. The Penitent Saint Peter

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More Artwork

More Artwork
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The Drunken Silenus holding a cup aloft into which a Satyr pours wine, Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto) Spanish, Etching and engraving
The Drunken Silenus holding a cup aloft into which a Satyr pours wine
Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto)
1628
The Penitence of Saint Peter, Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto) Spanish, Etching and engraving
The Penitence of Saint Peter
Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto)
1621
Saint Jerome Reading, Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto) Spanish, Etching, engraving, and drypoint
Saint Jerome Reading
Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto)
ca. 1624
Saint Jerome Hearing the Trumpet of the Last Judgment, Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto) Spanish, Etching, engraving, and drypoint; first state of two (Brown)
Saint Jerome Hearing the Trumpet of the Last Judgment
Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto)
1621
Battle Between a Centaur and a Triton with a Triton, Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto) Spanish, Etching
Battle Between a Centaur and a Triton with a Triton
Jusepe de Ribera (called Lo Spagnoletto)
ca. 1620–1640

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