The Tears of Saint Peter (after El Greco)
Painting on canvas (likely a later copy or reproduction, possibly a giclée print on canvas or a decorative studio copy) • After El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos); studio copy or decorative reproduction
Style & Movement
Spanish Mannerism / Counter-Reformation Baroque style
Medium & Technique
Likely oil on canvas for an original, but the surface texture suggests a canvas reproduction print with applied varnishing or a competent academic studio copy employing glazing and chiaroscuro techniques
Creation Period
Likely 20th century (reproduction or decorative copy of the late 16th to early 17th-century original)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 20 x 24 inches (excluding frame), vertical portrait format
Subject Description
Depicts Saint Peter in deep remorse, gazing upward with clasped hands, draped in a yellow-ochre mantle and dark green undergarment. The keys of heaven are visible hanging from his hand, symbolizing his role. The dark, dramatic background emphasizes the emotional intensity typical of El Greco's penance iconography.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good condition overall, set within an ornate decorative gilded frame with a red velvet inner liner showing minor dust accumulation
Estimated Market Value
150 USD - 300 USD
Auction Estimate
100 USD - 200 USD
Provenance History
Unknown private ownership; typical of mid-to-late 20th-century decorative art market acquisitions or museum souvenir purchases
Art Historical Significance
References El Greco's famous archetype of Saint Peter in tears, a significant theme in Counter-Reformation art emphasizing repentance, divine forgiveness, and emotional spiritual experience
Notable Features
Presented in an elaborate, heavy gilded wooden frame with a contrasting crimson red velvet mat liner which enhances the dramatic, theatrical presentation of the religious subject
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust; frame shows slight wear along the edges consistent with age
Conservation Recommendations
Standard light cleaning with a soft dry brush; display away from direct sunlight and high humidity; maintain stable indoor climate
Collector Notes
St. Peter