- 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
Simon Peter was one of the first disciples of Jesus. Persecuted for his Christian faith, Governor Agrippa sentenced him to crucifixion in Rome. Considering himself unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus, he requested to be crucified upside down. The place of his martyrdom is commonly associated with Nero’s gardens in the Vatican. According to Tacitus, this was where the most severe scenes of persecution occurred. In Christian tradition, Peter is regarded as the first bishop of Rome and the head of the Catholic Church.
In the Scriptures
Historical accounts show that the Apostle Peter preached in Rome during the final years of his life and died a martyr. Throughout his life, Peter emphasized that the Church grows stronger through persecutions (1 Peter 1:6; 2:1-4).
The Painting
The artist places the crucifixion scene predominantly at the center of the painting. The use of oblique lines in the composition creates an impression of chaos, reflecting the turbulent atmosphere in Rome at the time. Similarly, the tottering antique statue underscores this disorder, paralleling the decline of the Roman Empire. The characters’ poses and attitudes also convey a sense of imbalance. The powerful lighting focused on Peter and the executioners on the right heightens the theatrical and dramatic effect of the scene. In the bottom left, Marcel or Apuleius, a disciple of Peter, is dressed like the canons, speaking to and comforting Peter about the continuity of his mission. Additionally, an angel in the sky presents a crown of flowers. This crown, aligned with Saint Peter’s face, symbolizes the spiritual connection of faith between earth and heaven.
Sébastien Bourdon (1616-1671)
Sébastien Bourdon was a young painter of 27 when he received the commission for the May of Notre Dame. He arrived in Paris at the age of 23 after a trip to Rome, where he studied the great masters of painting. He captivated his Parisian clientele with his colorful palette and the complexity of his compositions.
