Saint Peter holding keys and an open book, facing left

Art Historical Context

In the tranquil collection of prints at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Joachim Leonardo da Rocha's etching *Saint Peter holding keys and an open book, facing left* (ca. 1750–80) captures the revered apostle in a moment of quiet authority. Created on a modest sheet measuring just 5 7/16 × 3 15/16 inches, this intimate work exemplifies 18th-century devotional art, a time when religious imagery remained central to Catholic visual culture amid Europe's Enlightenment shifts. Saint Peter, the first pope and keeper of heaven's gates, is depicted with his iconic attributes: the keys symbolizing papal authority and the open book representing scripture or the Gospels. Facing left, he invites contemplation, his form rendered through the precise lines of etching—a technique where acid bites into a metal plate to create rich, textured lines ideal for fine details in small-scale prints. Rocha, a skilled practitioner of this medium, likely produced such works for personal piety or broader distribution. Acquired in 2017 through The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this etching highlights the enduring cultural importance of saints in art, blending technical mastery with spiritual resonance. Visitors can appreciate how its compact size made it accessible for homes and altars, bridging artist and devotee across centuries.