Christ Calling Peter and Andrew

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales larger image

1911 Two-light window. Christ in the left-hand light gestures to Peter and Andrew in the right. A cockerel is shown at the apex of the window. technique: stained glass Church of St Peter, Marloes, Pembrokeshire south wall of the nave Given in memory of Grace Elizabeth Lady Kensington. Erected by the parishioners of Marloes and St Brides Easter 1911. The Kensingtons were patrons of the church nearby at St Brides, which was located within sight of their home at St Brides Castle. The poses would indicate a composite reading of the gospel narratives. Jesus' gesture suggests Matthew 4:19, the 'follow me' to Peter and Andrew. However, Peter kneeling suggests Luke 5:8, when Peter falls at Jesus' feet after the miraculous draught of fishes, and immediately before (verse 9) when Jesus calls him to the apostolate. Furthermore, the poses of Christ and Peter are reminiscent of the usual depiction of the calling of Peter after the Resurrection, when Christ exhorts Peter to 'feed my sheep'. In these depictions it is often John, usually as a young man, who is shown standing behind Peter. The use of the cockerel in the upper part of the window is representative of Peter's denial of Christ, which is resolved in the final chapter of John's gospel. It is interesting to note that the artist has chosen to depict the two Galilean fishermen as mature if not elderly men, which does not accord with the impression given in the gospels, where, admittedly, no direct indication is given of the chosen apostles' age, apart from the fact that Peter's mother-in-law was still alive (Mark 1:30-1).  (ObjectID=424 ImageID=637) Original File Name=_MG_0915.jpg

This artwork is indexed under the following main subject(s):
for other works containing these subjects please click on the links.

• calling of Peter and Andrew  [John 1:40-42]
• calling of Peter and Andrew; they are called away from their fishing-boat   [Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18]

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales