The martyrdom of Saint Paul and the condemnation of Saint Peter
Engraved just before the Sack of Rome in 1527, this print is the result of the collaboration of the Italian Mannerist artist Parmigianino and the skilled engraver Caraglio. A number of drawings by Parmigianino relating to the composition survive, including the actual model used by Caraglio to transfer the design to the plate (British Museum, London). Parmigianino may have created this design to decorate the Sala dei Pontefici in the Vatican—a commission that was never realized—though that is far from certain. The engraving shows the moments preceding the execution ordered by Emperor Nero of the apostles Peter and Paul. Saint Peter kneels in the foreground before his executioner, while behind him Saint Paul is pulled away by his beard to be crucified.
A drawing by Parmigianino depicting an apparition of Christ in the Metrpolitan Museum (65.112.2) is drawn on the back of a fragment of an impression of Caraglio's print. The fragment of the print is the section showing Jupiter and the eagle from the upper right.
A drawing by Parmigianino depicting an apparition of Christ in the Metrpolitan Museum (65.112.2) is drawn on the back of a fragment of an impression of Caraglio's print. The fragment of the print is the section showing Jupiter and the eagle from the upper right.
Artwork Details
- Title: The martyrdom of Saint Paul and the condemnation of Saint Peter
- Artist: Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio (Italian, Parma or Verona ca. 1500/1505–1565 Krakow (?))
- Artist: After Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) (Italian, Parma 1503–1540 Casalmaggiore)
- Date: 1524–27
- Medium: Engraving; first state of three
- Dimensions: Sheet (Trimmed): 10 3/16 × 17 11/16 in. (25.8 × 45 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1927
- Object Number: 27.78.2(2)
- 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 Jacopo Caraglio
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)
n.d.
Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)
Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)
ca. 1527
Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)
ca. 1527
Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio
Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola)
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.