Saint Peter Penitent c. 17th century

Curator: Here we see Jusepe de Ribera's etching, "Saint Peter Penitent," held in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. The piece captures Peter in a moment of profound remorse. Editor: My initial feeling? Gut-wrenching. He's hunched over, etched with such stark lines that the remorse feels almost palpable. You can almost hear his silent cries. Curator: Indeed. Ribera often explored themes of suffering and piety. This work uses the visual language of repentance—the aged face, clasped hands, barren landscape—to explore Peter's denial of Christ. We must recall the social role of the church in the artist's time. Editor: It's all in the details, isn't it? The keys beside him—symbols of his authority—abandoned, almost discarded in his grief. It speaks to a universal feeling of failure, doesn't it? Curator: Yes, it highlights the intersection of human fallibility and spiritual leadership. A powerful commentary. Editor: It's a dark piece, but ultimately, a beautiful testament to human vulnerability. It makes me want to ask him, "What now?" Curator: An insightful question that this image poses even now.