Saint Peter as Pope
Copyright
Work in the public domain
Image: Courtauld
Image: Courtauld
Maker
Lippo Vanni
1344-1375 (active)
1344-1375 (active)
Title
Saint Peter as Pope
Date of Production
c. 1365
Medium
tempera on panel, integral frame with a gabled top
Dimensions
Height: 74.1 cm (panel)
Width: 32.9 cm (panel)
Depth: 3.2 cm (panel)
Width: 32.9 cm (panel)
Depth: 3.2 cm (panel)
Object Number
P.1966.GP.469
Mode of Acquisition
Gambier-Parry, bequest, 1966
Credit
Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Label Text
Lippo Vanni started his career producing finely painted images in manuscripts. A similar precision is evident here in Saint Peter’s delicately painted flesh, expressive wrinkles and intricate robes.
The keys, inscribed ‘Authority’ and ‘Discernment’ in Latin, are the symbolic keys to heaven, which Christ entrusted to Peter. The saint in the small disc above holds a book, indicating that he is one of the four writers of the Gospels. His three companions must have featured on the other panels of a large altarpiece of which this work is a fragment.
The keys, inscribed ‘Authority’ and ‘Discernment’ in Latin, are the symbolic keys to heaven, which Christ entrusted to Peter. The saint in the small disc above holds a book, indicating that he is one of the four writers of the Gospels. His three companions must have featured on the other panels of a large altarpiece of which this work is a fragment.
Provenance
Bought by Thomas Gambier Parry at the Davenport Bromley Sale, Christie's 12 f.vi.1863, (lot 126) as Duccio; by descent to Mark Gambier-Parry; Gambier-Parry Bequest 1966
Exhibition History
Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300-1350, National Gallery, London, 08/03/2025-22/06/2025
The Courtauld at the National Gallery, National Gallery, London, 27/03/2019-05/08/2019
The Gambier-Parry Collection, Courtauld Institute Galleries, London, 1967
Information on this object may be incomplete and will be updated as research progresses. We are particularly committed to addressing any discriminatory or offensive language and ideas that may be present in our records.
We are also continuously working to digitise the collection and improve the quality of our digital resources; images will be added/updated as new photography becomes available.
To help improve this record and to enquire about images of the Courtauld Gallery Collection, please email gallery.collectionsonline@courtauld.ac.uk.
Find out more about using and licensing our images.
____________________________