베드로가 예수를 그리스도로 고백하다

 

 

 

(마 16:19)

내가 천국 열쇠를 네게 주리니 네가 땅에서 무엇이든지 매면 하늘에서도 매일 것이요 네가 땅에서 무엇이든지 풀면 하늘에서도 풀리리라 하시고

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pietro Perugino 1450 – 1523

Jesus Handing the Keys to Peter

fresco (335 × 550 cm) — 1481-82

  Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

 

This work is linked to Matthew 16:19

 

The fresco shows an important moment in the history of the catholic church. It is no coincidence that it is in the Sistine Chapel, the pope's personal chapel. Jesus hands the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter. In the previous verse Peter was called the rock upon which Jesus would build his church.

Artists interpreted Jesus' words literally: Peter is very often displayed carrying the keys.

The other followers watch on. They are joined by a few non-biblical figures. Among the men on the right it is thought that Perugino himself can be found alongside the architect of the Sistine Chapel.

In the background two other scenes from the life of Jesus are shown. To the left: the Rendering of the Tribute Money (ref. Masaccio); to the right: the stoning of Jesus.

Perugino shows the scenes in the best tradition of the Renaissance. The composition is almost perfectly symmetric, with skillfully applied perspective.

The temple in Renaissance style is Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. That is a geographic anomaly, as according to Matthew the event took place in the city of Caesarea Filippi near one of the sources of the river Jordan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicolas Poussin 1593/94 – 1665

Seven sacraments: ordination

oil on canvas (96 × 122 cm) — 1636-1639

  Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas

Nicolas Poussin biography

 

This work is linked to Matthew 16:19

 

Between 1636 and 1640, while staying in Rome, Poussin made his first series of paintings on the Seven Sacraments. He was commissioned by Cassiano dal Pozzo, an Italian scholar.

This work is about the ordination. In the catholic church ordination now refers to the appointment of priests and bishops. But Poussin here shows the first ordination: Peter's. Jesus hands him the keys of the kingdom of heaven. That moment is generally seen as the founding of the catholic church, with Peter as its first head.

A sacrament can be described as an important moment in the catholic church. The other six are baptism, penance, eucharist (including communion), confirmation, and matrimony.

Jesus points to heaven. Poussin gave the apostles colourful gowns in pastel colours. Peter kneels, while the others watch, obviously aware of the importance of the moment. To the far right is Jude; John is third from the right. Special in the composition is that all figures have their own bearing.

Poussin may have been inspired by a tapestry Raphael made: Feed my Sheep.

Another painting in this series: Baptism.