Gerrit Van Honthorst (After), Saint Peter in Penitence, 18th-century Oil Painting

This skilfully rendered mid-18th-century Swedish oil painting depicts the biblical figure of Saint Peter in penitence.

“Regrets, I've had a few”, explained Frank Sinatra, and indeed so did Saint Peter. Upon the arrest of Jesus, Peter was questioned by those who recognised him as a follower. Despite his earlier declarations, he declined knowing Christ on three occasions when threatened by his inquisitors. Guilt and personal suffering inevitably followed.

Jesus had foreseen this, stating "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times" (Luke 22:34). After his third denial, following the crow of the aforementioned rooster, he broke down and wept. Yet, Peter’s story is also a tale of remorse and forgiveness, as he was later restored by Christ and became the first pope. His tomb rests under Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Depicted here with hands clutched in prayer, sullen eyes staring forlornly towards the heavens, this image represents the overwhelming desire to turn back the clock. A brief moment of understandable fear, leading to a permanent state of inner wretchedness.

The painting is a copy, produced in 1760, after the original by Dutch master, Gerrit van Honthorst (1590-1656). At this time, the original had found its way to Sweden, following a sale in Amsterdam, so this is very likely to be a sanctioned commission. One can imagine that the owner of van Honthorst’s masterpiece allowed artists to work directly, with the painting within arm’s reach.

On the reverse, an inscription in Swedish refers to one of the many Swedish currencies in circulation at the time, the ‘Banco’. This is preceded by the number 20 or 210, and the word ‘Kostar’, meaning costs. So it’s evidently communicating the price in 1760. It’s also dated.

The original was sold through Bonhams in 2007 for £132,000.

Held in a period frame, which is possibly original.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 36½” x 44” / 93cm x 112cm

Year of creation: 1760

Labels & Inscriptions: Inscribed on the reverse with a date and price.

Provenance: Private collection, Sweden / Private collection, Spain.

Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Three patched repairs. Stretcher imprint. Craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.

Our reference: BRV2151