Saint Peter Repentant1645 · Study 1951.454

Context from the museum

During Jesus’s arrest on the night of the Last Supper, the apostle Peter denied knowing him. Although Christ forgave his betrayal, Peter was consumed by guilt. Georges de La Tour represents Peter as an old man, reflecting on his past actions in a state of perpetual repentance. The apostle’s red-rimmed eyes and the uncertain light of the lantern suggest anxious sleepless nights; muted colors and simple forms give visual expression to Peter’s somber emotions. Unlike other artists inspired by Caravaggio, La Tour worked in relative isolation in northeastern France, and his connection to his Italian counterpart remains unclear.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

The rooster next to Peter is a reference to Jesus's prediction that Peter will betray him, stating: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected unframed measurement for Saint Peter Repentant is 95 cm wide and 114 cm high, equivalent to approximately 37.4 × 44.9 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.83:1. The rectangular bounding area is 1.08 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 31.7% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 102.5 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Saint Peter Repentant in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, oil on canvas, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 95 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?