The Martyrdom of St Peter, Caravaggio, 1600, 1601

• context

  -painted during the counter reformation

  -Catholic Church wanted art works that were realistic, easy to understand and that would create an emotional stimulus to God

  -during the Tridentine decrees in 1547-1563 following the council of Trent and the reformation.

  -Catholic Church wanted to promote itself

  -this painting promotes St Peter and the pope through saints and Alstofosuccesion.
• involvement of the spectator

  -st peter was intentionally positioned for St Peter to be gazing out of the painting towards the alter of the Creasi chapel demonstrating his faith at a time of great pain. this included the spectator who would be kneeling in prayer.
• light and tone

  -intense chiaroscuro

  -ambiguous dark background, pushes figures and action into the foreground.

  -St peter is fully lit the lights hits his whole body making him stand out against the executioners in their less important roles.
• composition 


  -reduced number of figures emphasises the importance of the moment making it easier to understand

  -the near nudity of St Peter and the expression and awkward pose evokes sympathy

  -recognisable iconography of St Peter , includes a grey beard, the large rock in the foreground .

  -the strong diagonal of the cross in the foreground is bisected by the rope and crouching man helps to create movement.

  -cropping of the shoulder additionally creates a sense of action and dramatic revision.
• MTP


  -there are no underdrawings or any preliminary sketches from the artist.

  -he pined the use of the camera obscurer where lenses, mirrors and curtains where used to make projections of the subjects.

  -he primed his canvas with dark brown or black , allowed him to build up strong highlights