Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

The Denial of Peter

oil on canvas (154 × 169 cm) — 1660 Museum Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

This work is linked to Mark 14:66

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Peter denounces Jesus by claiming not to be one of his followers - exactly as Jesus had predicted. Peter had vowed to never betray him. Here a servant of the high priest Caiaphas recognizes Peter. All action is frozen in time – the spectator is waiting for Peter to reply, who is taking his time making up his mind. In the background, hardly discernable, Jesus is being taken away by soldiers.

Rembrandt was aided by some of his students when he made this painting.

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