Saint Peter Denying Christ 1803

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have Robert Delaunay's "Saint Peter Denying Christ." Editor: My first impression is a somber one. It feels like a captured moment of inner turmoil, amplified by the surrounding chaos. Curator: Delaunay engages with a pivotal point in Christian narrative, focusing on Peter's denial. Examining this through a feminist lens, what does it reveal about the construction of masculinity and betrayal? Editor: Notice the recurring symbols: the rooster crowing, the soldier's gaze. They are visual anchors, each carrying a weight of guilt and judgment that has resonated across centuries. Curator: The setting places Peter in a liminal space, neither fully inside nor outside, symbolizing his wavering faith and allegiance. This resonates with contemporary questions of identity. Editor: Indeed, the imagery underscores the fragility of belief and the ripple effects of a single act of denial. It reminds us of the enduring human capacity for both faith and failure. Curator: Ultimately, I think this work encourages us to reflect on how individual actions intersect with larger historical and social forces. Editor: Absolutely, and how those symbols continue to speak to our anxieties and moral dilemmas today.