The Handing Over of the Keys to Saint Peter with the Ten Commandments Above
Painting on canvas • Circle or School of Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish School); likely a later follower or provincial master influenced by Rubens' compositional energy and color palette
Style & Movement
Baroque
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing classical Baroque techniques including chiaroscuro for dramatic lighting and dynamic, bravura brushwork particularly in the celestial realm
Creation Period
Late 17th Century to Early 18th Century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 80 x 60 cm (excluding frame); Portrait format
Subject Description
A complex religious narrative split into two levels: the terrestrial realm where Christ confers authority to St. Peter (Traditio Clavium) amidst other apostles, and a celestial realm featuring God the Father with the Tablets of the Law (Ten Commandments) supported by angels and putti. The composition bridges the Old and New Testaments.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair. The painting shows significant oxidative yellowing of the varnish and possible historic relining. The frame is a later reproduction in the Rococo style.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; absence of visible gallery marks or seals on the front suggests a private collection history. The frame appears to be a 20th-century replacement.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the enduring influence of the Rubensian style in Counter-Reformation art. While a derivative work, it demonstrates how 17th-century theological themes were propagated through secondary workshops and regional artists.
Notable Features
The unusual inclusion of the Tablets of the Law directly above the Petrine mission, emphasizing a continuity of divine law and ecclesiastical authority.
Condition Issues
Heavy varnish discoloration, minor surface craquelure, obscured details in shadow areas due to 'sinking' of pigments, and aesthetic mismatch of the modern high-shine gilt frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove aged varnish, localized retouching where pigment has thinned, and re-framing in a more period-appropriate 17th-century style dark wood or subdued gilt frame.
Collector Notes
17th c school of Ruben's