Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter 1729 - 1749

Curator: This is Paul-Ponce-Antoine Robert's "Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The print presents a pivotal scene. Editor: The keys feel quite significant; their symbolism is deeply rooted in the history of the Church, representing authority and the power to bind and loose. Curator: The brown ink—sepia—enhances the texture of the figures' garments, creating a tangible quality. The choice of material and the etching process draw our attention to how religious narratives were disseminated and consumed as commodities. Editor: Absolutely, the keys aren’t just metal objects; they are potent symbols of institutional power and spiritual inheritance passed down through generations. The gesture of handing them over is charged. Curator: It's fascinating to consider how Robert’s print functions within a larger economy of images and devotional objects circulating at the time. Editor: Precisely, viewing the artwork through both symbolic and material lenses offers a richer, layered understanding of its original context.