Saint Peter
- Artist: Filippo Lippi
- Date: (circa) 1460
- Medium: tempera on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Saint Peter" by Filippo Lippi, created around 1460. The painting is a tempera on panel, a medium that Lippi mastered early in his career. In this piece, the apostle is rendered with a serene, contemplative expression that reflects the piety of the era. Lippi’s delicate use of light brings out subtle flesh tones, while the muted background keeps the focus on the figure. The composition is tight, with Peter holding his symbolic keys, hinting at his role as the gatekeeper of heaven. Notice how the artist’s brushwork conveys texture—soft robes, a hint of linen weave, and a subtle halo of gold that glints softly. The overall effect is a gentle, almost lyrical quality typical of Lippi’s work before he moved to Siena. The painting exemplifies the transitional period of early Renaissance Italy, where tempera was still common before oil took over. The work invites viewers to contemplate the humility and authority embodied in this central Christian figure.
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.
