Redding van Petrus door Christus Possibly 1525

Dirck Vellert created this pen drawing titled "Redding van Petrus door Christus," or "The Rescue of Peter by Christ," sometime in the early 16th century. Vellert made a name for himself in Antwerp, where the social and political climate was greatly affected by religious reform. This drawing depicts a famous scene from the Bible: Peter's attempted walk on water towards Jesus, ending with Peter losing faith and beginning to sink. Vellert captures Peter's desperate moment, as Christ reaches out to save him amidst the turbulent sea. The artist’s choice to focus on this moment of doubt and rescue suggests an emotional subtext, perhaps reflecting the anxieties of the time. It’s a visual representation of faith tested by fear and doubt, themes that resonate deeply within the context of religious upheaval. The image serves not only as a biblical illustration, but also as a reflection on faith and the human condition during the Reformation. It embodies the era’s complex negotiation of tradition and change, fear and faith.