Peter's Denial by Carl Bloch, Luke 22:54-62, Bible.Gallery

Peter's Denial created 1865 nad was completed in 1865 Its dimension is 83cm wide and 104cm high and it was drawn with oil on copper style.

Artwork Description

Peter's Denial by Carl Bloch, Luke 22:54-62, Bible.Gallery

Carl Heinrich Bloch's "The Denial of Peter" is a painting that depicts the moment in the Gospel of Luke when Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, just as the Lord had prophesied. The painting captures Peter's emotional turmoil, as he grapples with the weight of his actions and the guilt that accompanies his denial.


Bloch's painting is set in a dimly lit room, with a fire burning in the hearth. Peter is seated at a table, surrounded by soldiers and servants. He is clearly agitated, his face flushed and his hands clasped together tightly. His eyes dart around the room, as if he is looking for a way to escape.


In the foreground of the painting, a woman approaches Peter and asks if he is one of Jesus' disciples. Peter denies it, saying, "I do not know him." The woman then turns to the other people in the room and repeats her question. Peter denies it again, and then a third time.


Bloch's painting captures the emotional intensity of this moment. Peter's face is a mask of fear and guilt. He knows that he has denied Jesus, and he is ashamed of himself. The firelight flickers in his eyes, reflecting the inner turmoil that he is feeling.


The denial of Peter is a significant moment in the Christian story. It is a reminder that even the most faithful of followers can fall short. But it is also a story of redemption. After Jesus is resurrected, he appears to Peter and asks him if he loves him. Peter answers three times, "Yes, Lord." And Jesus forgives him.


Bloch's painting is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for both sin and redemption. It is a painting that can be appreciated by people of all faiths.


Here is a more detailed analysis of the painting:


  • The setting of the painting is important. It takes place in a dimly lit room, which creates a sense of suspense and foreboding. The firelight flickers in Peter's eyes, reflecting his inner turmoil.
  • The characters in the painting are also important. Peter is the central figure, and his expression of fear and guilt is very striking. The woman who confronts Peter is also important, as she is the one who forces him to confront his own actions.
  • The colors in the painting are also significant. The warm colors of the firelight contrast with the cool colors of Peter's clothing and the surrounding walls. This contrast creates a sense of tension and unease.
  • The composition of the painting is also well-done. The figures are arranged in a way that creates a sense of movement and drama. The viewer's eye is drawn to Peter's face, and the woman who confronts him is also placed in a prominent position.
  • Overall, "The Denial of Peter" is a powerful and moving painting that captures the emotional intensity of this moment in the Christian story. It is a painting that can be appreciated by people of all faiths.
Artist : Carl Bloch

Other artworks from Carl Bloch

Healing at the Pool of Bethesda by Carl Bloch John 5:2-9

Raising of Lazarus by Carl Bloch John 11

The Twelve-Year-Old Jesus in the Temple by Carl Bloch Luke 2:41-52

Other artworks you may enjoy

Abraham Casting Out Hagar and Ishmael by Pieter Lastman Genesis 21:8-21

Abraham Entertains Three Strangers by Gustave Doré Genesis 18:1-15

Abraham Meets Melchizedek by Peter Paul Rubens Genesis 14

Abraham meets the Three Angels by Ferdinand Bol Genesis 18:1-15

Abraham Serving the Three Angels by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn Genesis 18:1-12

Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac by Federico Bencovich Genesis 22:1-19

Adam and Eve by Hans Holbein the Younger Genesis 3:1-13

Adam and Eve (1526) by Lucas Cranach, the Elder Genesis 3

Adoration of the Lamb by Michiel Coxie Revelation 5

Adoration of the Magi by Pieter Aertsen Matthew 2:1-12

Adoration of the Shepherds by Gerard Van Honthorst Luke 2:1-21

Agony in the Garden by Johann Heinrich Schönfeld Luke 22:39-46