Saints Peter and John Healing the Lame Man

Nicolas Poussin French

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 623

At the temple in Jerusalem where the old and infirm beg for alms, Peter and John cure a man who cannot walk (Acts 3:1–10): “Then Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have; but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Poussin looked to High Renaissance artists for inspiration to represent this scene: Raphael used measured, pyramidal compositions built around the temple steps such as this, while Michelangelo probably prompted the gestures of the central group which relate to his Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel. Facial types, notably the almond-shaped eyes and straight noses, copy classical sculpture.

Saints Peter and John Healing the Lame Man, Nicolas Poussin (French, Les Andelys 1594–1665 Rome), Oil on canvas

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