Saint Peter praying, half figure c. 1670s

Editor: So, here we have "Saint Peter Praying, Half Figure" from around the 1670s, rendered in ink and pencil. It's by Matthys van den Bergh and currently at the Städel Museum. It feels so intimate, almost like eavesdropping on a private moment of reflection. I’m really struck by the loose linework and how expressive it is. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: You know, it's funny, "intimate" is exactly the word that popped into my head too! There's this raw, almost vulnerable quality about it. The Baroque period often aimed for grandeur and drama, but this drawing seems to pull back the curtain and show us something far more personal. I think about the texture created using hatching and cross-hatching, adding depth and shadow with a minimalist technique. The artist invites us in. Do you sense any urgency? Editor: I do, actually. The lines seem to vibrate with energy, as if the artist were trying to capture something fleeting. He looks to be clutching at rosary beads too. What was life like for van den Bergh at this time, and is it reflective of a time in European history? Curator: Well, the 1670s were a period of considerable upheaval in Europe – wars, religious tensions. One can easily imagine someone like Saint Peter turning inward, seeking solace or guidance. And Van den Bergh was working in the Dutch Republic, a society grappling with its own identity after throwing off Spanish rule. He wasn’t an A-lister. It’s hard not to see some of that anxiety and introspection reflected here, even if subconsciously. Tell me, what’s the first question you might ask this St Peter if given the opportunity? Editor: Ooh, good question. I think I would ask, "What are you praying for?" What about you? Curator: Ah, if only art could talk! I suspect that his response would be something far beyond our scope. Anyway, thank you, that helped me connect with the image. Editor: Yes, thanks. That provided amazing insight into seeing Saint Peter beyond his saintly qualities.