St. Peter

Abstract

The statue of Saint Peter, currently located on the right side of the mannerist altar finial of Saint Nicholas in the church in Paczółtowice is a work not recorded in the sources, so it is difficult to determine its history. The sculpture was probably created in the 18th century and does not constitute the original element of the above-mentioned reredos. Such dating of the sculpture is supported by the expression with which the figure of the saint was depicted, in particular the extended proportions of the face, dynamic pose, gestures and deep, sharp shaping of the folds of the robes. Interestingly, the saint was not depicted in accordance with his traditional iconography. Saint Peter is usually depicted as an elderly man with grey, thinning hair in the forehead area and with a characteristic short, curly beard. In the case of the statue in question, the physiognomic type of the figure rather points to Saint Paul, however, the key attribute in his right hand clearly identifies Saint Peter.