Saint Peter holding a large open book, keys by his side, from "Christ and the Apostles"

Art Historical Context

Andrea Schiavone (also known as Andrea Meldola), a Venetian artist active during the mid-sixteenth century, created this elegant etching around 1548–50 as part of his series “Christ and the Apostles.” The work depicts Saint Peter, the first pope, holding a large open book while his symbolic keys rest nearby. Rendered in the delicate, fluid lines characteristic of early Italian etching, the figure conveys both authority and quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of faith and teaching. Etching was a relatively new printmaking medium at the time, allowing artists like Schiavone to achieve expressive, sketch-like effects that were more spontaneous than traditional engraving. Measuring just over eight inches tall, this intimate print was likely intended for private devotion or collectors’ albums, helping to spread religious imagery beyond church walls during the Renaissance. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, the sheet exemplifies Schiavone’s ability to blend Mannerist grace with Venetian warmth, making sacred figures feel approachable and human.

About the Artist

Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola) · 1510–1563

Andrea Schiavone, born Andrea Meldolla around 1510 or 1515 in Zara (modern Zadar, Croatia), in Venetian-ruled Dalmatia, hailed from a family rooted in Meldola near Forlì in Romagna, Emilia-Romagna. His father, Simon Meldolla, served as a garrison commander there, and both parents originated from Meldola, where the family held property into the early 16th century. Nicknamed "Schiavone"—"the Slav"—a...