Saint Peter

The sculpture depicts St. Peter as an elderly man with a beard and balding head, holding a book. The expression on Peter’s face is serious and focused, highlighting his spiritual dedication. The details of the face and hands are crafted with exceptional precision, which is characteristic of Veit Stoss’s work.

St. Peter is dressed in richly draped robes that form dynamic folds, giving the figure a monumental yet naturalistic appearance. The robes feature various shades that emphasize their three-dimensionality and texture. The colors used are muted, predominantly shades of brown and gold, with touches of red, adding elegance and gravity to the sculpture. The turquoise color on parts of the robe adds freshness and enlivens the entire composition, contrasting with the more subdued shades of brown and gold.

The sculpture stands in a slight contrapposto, adding dynamism. Peter’s pose suggests movement, as if he is in the midst of speaking or gesturing. This dynamism is typical of Gothic sculpture, which is masterfully represented by Veit Stoss.

Veit Stoss’s altarpiece in St. Mary’s Basilica in Krakow is one of the most important works of Gothic sacred art in Poland and Europe. The sculptures in the central cabinet of the altarpiece, including St. Peter, are an exceptional example of artistic mastery and deep spiritual expression that characterized the work of the great artist from Nuremberg.