Finding the bodies of Saints Peter and Paul
Many of Castiglione’s works address the transience of earthly endeavors, death, and decay. One of the most innovative printmakers of his time, he was strongly influenced by Rembrandt’s prints and their tenebrism (from tenebroso, suggesting darkness). He even sought out religious subjects that would be enhanced by a gloomy setting, such as this example, which depicts the vault on the Appian Way outside Rome where the bodies of the two martyred saints were hidden. Here, a group of men stumble into the vault, almost clinging to one another in fear. In the lower left, we see a headless Saint Paul and Saint Peter, still clutching his keys, illuminated by the light of a single torch.
Artwork Details
- Title: Finding the bodies of Saints Peter and Paul
- Artist: Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (Il Grechetto) (Italian, Genoa 1609–1664 Mantua)
- Date: 1645–51
- Medium: Etching
- Dimensions: Sheet: 11 13/16 × 8 1/8 in. (30 × 20.7 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Bertina Suida Manning and Robert L. Manning, 1979
- Object Number: 1979.517
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (Il Grechetto)
ca. 1635–40
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (Il Grechetto)
1650–55
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (Il Grechetto)
ca. 1647–51
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (Il Grechetto)
Giovanni Domenico de Rossi
1645
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione (Il Grechetto)
ca. 1638–1640
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.