Peter – Jesus’ disciple and Rome’s first pope – watches us solemnly. His gaze seems to exhort us to consider our actions and live devoutly. Peter’s symbol is the key. A personification of the papacy and the Catholic church in the 17th century, the apostle is an unusual motif for Rembrandt. The forthright depiction, on the other hand, is typical of the artist, as is the chiaroscuro treatment – whereby the face, hand and key dramatically emerge from the ambient darkness.