Gerard Seghers: The Denial of Saint Peter (1620-1625)

(North Carolina museum of art, Raleigh, USA)

A painting by the flemish artist Gerard Seghers (1591 – 1651). According to the account in the Gospels (Matthew 26:69–75; Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:55–62; John 18:17–18, 25–27), when Christ was arrested Peter followed him into the courtyard "to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year" (following John 18:13). There he was accused at three separate confrontations of being a disciple of Jesus. Peter denied each and thus fulfilled Christ's prophecy that before the cock crowed he would deny him thrice. This painting was made in 1620-1625.