Petrus 1787 - 1852

Christian Forssell created this print of Saint Peter, his eyes gazing heavenward and hands clasped in prayer. Here, we see the archetypal posture of supplication, a gesture resonating through centuries. Consider the 'orant' figures in early Christian catacombs, their arms raised in a similar plea to the divine. This posture, and Peter’s, speaks to humanity’s enduring need for solace. The upward gaze is itself a universal symbol, seen in countless depictions of saints, mystics, and even secular figures seeking inspiration or guidance from a higher power. The act of looking up, laden with hope, taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious feelings of longing and spiritual yearning. This visual language, born in antiquity, continues to engage viewers on a deeply psychological level, its meaning constantly reshaped by cultural forces and individual experience.