Saint Peter as Pope, unknown maker from Germany

Exhibition Label: "Corpus," Apr-2012, Chassica Kirchhoff This sculpture presents St. Peter as the first pope and as the foundation of the Catholic church. The stable, voluminous figure of Peter communicates his role as the so-called “rock” on which the church was built, a reference to both his importance in early Christianity and to his name, Petros, which means “rock” in Greek. The figure’s tiered crown echoes the papal tiara, and the robes that drape heavily across his body are careful renditions of liturgical vestments. The right hand of this figure appears to have once held a crosier (staff), while his left hand may have cradled the keys that are associated with Peter’s role as the gatekeeper of heaven. Archive Label: According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, Christ said to Peter, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” Peter thus became the first pope, and it is in that role that he is shown here. On his head he wears the papal tiara, composed of three separate crowns which symbolize the Trinity. In his left hand he probably once held a gospel book; in his right, the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and Hell. This late Gothic sculpture is not a free-standing work, but is carved in high relief with the back hollowed out. Such a sculpture was not intended to stand alone but would have been part of one of the large elaborately carved altars common in southern Germany.