Saint Peter 

Albrecht Altdorfer painted this image of Saint Peter, though the date remains unknown. It offers us a window into the religious and cultural landscape of 16th-century Germany. The image depicts a biblical scene where Peter, losing faith, begins to sink while walking on water towards Jesus. Look at the figures in the boat, a flurry of panicked activity. The churning sea and dark sky contrast sharply with the serene figure of Jesus, highlighting his divine power. Altdorfer was working in a period of religious upheaval with the rise of the Reformation. Images like this played a crucial role in shaping religious identity, reinforcing Catholic doctrine through visual storytelling. The Uffizi Gallery, where this painting resides, was, at the time, a symbol of Medici power and patronage, demonstrating how art was intimately tied to social structures. To fully understand this work, it is important to consult theological texts and explore the history of religious art during the Reformation. Through such research, we can appreciate the complex interplay between faith, art, and society in Altdorfer’s time.