H. Petrus c. 1581 - 1645

Karel van Mallery created this engraving of H. Petrus, or Saint Peter, during a period of intense religious conflict in Europe. The visual codes here are pretty clear: Peter is identifiable by his iconic keys, symbolizing his role as the gatekeeper of heaven. Made in the Low Countries, which were then deeply divided between Catholics and Protestants, this image served a very specific purpose. In the wake of the Reformation, the Catholic Church used art to reaffirm its authority. Figures like Peter, the first Pope, were crucial in visually asserting the unbroken chain of leadership from Christ to the current papacy. To truly understand this work, one must delve into the history of the Counter-Reformation, exploring how images were deployed as tools to bolster religious identity amidst upheaval. By researching period religious texts and art patronage, we see how art became a battleground for hearts and minds.