Paper

Student Artwork Guide

St. Peter

Lucas van Leyden

Name Class Date
Lucas van Leyden, St. Peter. Public domain.

The facts

Artist
Lucas van Leyden topimpressionists.com/en/artists/lucas-van-leyden/
Artist’s dates
1494 – 1533
Movement
Renaissance The brief peak when balance, depth and anatomy came together — Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Lucas van Leyden died in 1533; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1603.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 29, 2026

St. Peter — Lucas van Leyden Part 1 · The artwork

In context

St. Peter — Lucas van Leyden

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1490
  2. 1500
  3. 1510
  4. 1520
  5. 1530

Shaded: the lifetime of Lucas van Leyden (1494–1533)

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/lucas-van-leyden-st-peter-8CABW2-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #4e4a48

    Catalogued palette

    • #4E4A48
    • #DDDAD4
    • #B2AEA9
    • #7F7C78
    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 29, 2026

    St. Peter — Lucas van Leyden Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Lucas van Leyden

    Born in Leiden, Netherlands

    early life and training

    lucas van leyden, a dutch painter and printmaker, was born in 1494 in leiden, netherlands. he was the son of huygh jacobsz, a painter, and began his artistic training under his father's guidance. later, he joined the workshop of cornelis engelbrechtsz in 1508, where he refined his skills.

    artistic development

    lucas van leyden was among the first dutch exponents of genre painting and a highly accomplished engraver. his early work, characterized by half-length figures (c. 1506-1512), showcases his precocious originality. as he matured, his landscapes developed, and he became skilled in engraving at a remarkably young age. the earliest known print by him, mohammed and the murdered monk (1508), demonstrates his mastery of the medium.

    notable works and style

    seventeen paintings surely attributed to lucas van leyden survive, including:

    the healing of the blind man of jericho, a masterpiece showcasing multiple figures against wooded landscapes.

    saint paul, attr. leyden, exemplifying his engraving prowess.

    the milkmaid (engraving, 1510), highlighting his early skill in the medium.

    his style is characterized by fresh colors and a sense of aérienne perspective, already appreciated by albrecht dürer.

    museum collections and online presence

    lucas van leyden's works can be found in various museums, including the van gogh museum (netherlands), which houses an extensive collection of his engravings and paintings. online platforms like AllPaintingsStore.com offer a comprehensive selection of his works, allowing art enthusiasts to explore his oeuvre in detail.

    legacy

    lucas van leyden's contributions to dutch genre painting and engraving are undeniable. his innovative style and technical skill have made him a celebrated figure in the art world. as a pioneer of dutch art, his legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike.

    view lucas van leyden's artworks on AllPaintingsStore.com

    explore the van gogh museum (netherlands) collection online

    discover more about dutch art and its pioneers on AllPaintingsStore.com's blog

    experience the world of art with AllPaintingsStore.com, where you can find an extensive collection of artworks, including those by lucas van leyden.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for St. Peter

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/lucas-van-leyden-st-peter-8CABW2-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Leyden, Lucas van. St. Peter. n.d., https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/lucas-van-leyden-st-peter-8CABW2-en/
    APA
    Leyden, Lucas van (n.d.). St. Peter [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/lucas-van-leyden-st-peter-8CABW2-en/
    Chicago
    Lucas van Leyden. St. Peter. n.d. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/lucas-van-leyden-st-peter-8CABW2-en/
    Harvard
    Leyden, Lucas van (n.d.) St. Peter. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/lucas-van-leyden-st-peter-8CABW2-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 29, 2026

    St. Peter — Lucas van Leyden Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    St. Peter — Lucas van Leyden

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: saint john, religious figure, renaissance art. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at The Temptation of St Anthony (1530), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.