- The “Mays” of Notre-Dame
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- Saint Peter Healing the Sick with His Shadow
- The Conversion of saint Paul
- The Centurion Cornelius at the Feet of Saint Peter
- The Preaching of Saint Peter in Jerusalem
- The Crucifixion of Saint Peter
- The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew
- The Stoning of Saint Stephen
- The Predictions of the prophet Agabus to Saint Paul
- The Visitation
- Saint Thomas Aquinas, Fountain of Wisdom
Saint Peter
The Apostle Peter was one of the first disciples of Jesus. After the judgment and crucifixion of Christ, the persecution of his followers continued, instilling fear and doubt among them. The Pentecost, fifty days after the crucifixion, marks the apostles’ renewed commitment to their faith. Peter is the first to speak out, beginning to spread the teachings of Christ, which is the subject of his preaching in Jerusalem.
In the Scriptures
In the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Luke describes the day of Pentecost when the apostles, suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit, begin to speak in various foreign languages. While Peter was preaching, the listeners asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words, he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, verses 37 to 40)
The Painting
The scene illustrates verse 40, where Peter addresses his audience, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” The painter subtly suggests the “corrupt generation” with twisted, S-shaped antique columns and a fearful man clinging to one, contorting himself. Saint Peter, positioned in the center of the composition, raises his arms. Dressed in yellow, symbolizing hope, he points to the sky with his left hand while his right hand appears to bless the crowd with a protective gesture. In the foreground on the right, a woman lying on the ground holds her infant. She seems touched by divine light, symbolizing God’s protection over the mother and child. Her blue attire traditionally represents the color of Mary’s garment at that time. The painting is located in the Saint Peter Chapel.
Charles Poërson (1609-1667)
Charles Poërson was a pupil of Simon Vouet, a renowned painter for King Louis XIII in Paris around the 1630s-1640s. Poërson’s sense of movement, hand gestures, and draperies are greatly influenced by Vouet. The muscular torsos in his works are also inspired by Michelangelo’s sculptures, particularly the “Rebellious Slave” (Louvre Museum). This marble was part of Richelieu’s collection, which Poërson likely saw. Michelangelo sculpted it during a time of significant political turmoil in Rome, reflecting the period’s tension through the piece’s mannerist posture. Politically resonant, the work evokes the political strife faced by Louis XIII and Richelieu in their efforts against Protestantism and European rivalries.
