Saint Peter

The Master of the Palazzo Venezia Madonna, an anonymous Roman painter active around 1340, created this image of Saint Peter as part of a devotional panel or polyptych. This anonymous master represents the continuation of Gothic panel painting in Rome during a period when the papal court had relocated to Avignon, leaving Roman artistic production somewhat diminished. The panel is now in the National Gallery, London, and is attributed on the basis of stylistic comparison with the master's namesake Madonna.

Painted in egg tempera on panel with gold ground, the figure of Saint Peter holds his identifying keys and displays a monumental solemnity reflecting the Roman artistic tradition. The somewhat conservative style combines Byzantine-derived frontal presentation with moderate Giottesque modeling in the face and hands.