Saint Peter
- Artist: Bernardo Daddi
- Date: (circa) 1330
- Medium: tempera on panel (irregular shape)
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the Saint Peter by Bernardo Daddi, painted around 1330. The work is a tempera on panel, but the panel itself isn’t a perfect rectangle—its irregular shape gives the composition a sculptural quality, as if the scene is emerging from the wood. Daddi, an early Florentine painter, used bright, earthy tones and precise lines to create a sense of calm and reverence. In the painting, Saint Peter stands with his hands clasped, a gesture that recalls the keys of the kingdom he famously carried. His simple habit and the muted landscape behind him anchor the piece in a humble, contemplative setting typical of 14th‑century religious art. Notice the careful rendering of his hands—softly textured yet sturdy—highlighting both physical and spiritual strength. The background, with its subdued colors, provides depth while keeping the focus on the saint’s profile. Although the panel’s irregular shape suggests it might have been part of a larger altarpiece, the image feels complete on its own. The tempera medium, with its quick-drying properties, allowed Daddi to layer colors subtly, preserving the vividness that still draws the eye today. This painting offers a window into early Renaissance devotion and the evolving techniques of its artists.
See it in person
Saint Peter hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
More from The Courtauld Gallery
Crucifixion (right panel) (recto)Magus adoring the Infant Christ; and Bishop (right panel) (verso)Two Evangelists; The Virgin of the Annunciation (above)
Nativity (left panel) (recto)Two Magi and bishop (left panel) (verso)Two Evangelists; The Angel of the Annunciation (above)
Saint Peter
Saint Peter