The Crucifixion of Saint Peter by Michelangelo: The Pauline Fresco

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Crucified upside down

According to tradition, Saint Peter asked to be crucified upside down, because he did not feel worthy to die in the same way as Christ. Michelangelo painted the moment when the cross is being raised, in the Pauline Chapel of the Vatican, between about 1546 and 1550. It was one of his last paintings.

Peter turns to look at us

Saint Peter nailed to the cross, twisting to look out at the viewer — Peter turns to look at us.

Peter lies nailed to the cross as soldiers heave it upright. He twists his body and turns his head to stare out of the fresco, directly at the viewer, with a fierce, accusing look.

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A crowd around the cross

Soldiers and onlookers around the cross in Michelangelo’s fresco — The crowd around the cross.

Around him, soldiers, horsemen and onlookers form a slow circle. Some watch in silence, some dig the hole for the cross. Michelangelo painted heavy, sculptural bodies, with little decoration.

A late, sombre work

Michelangelo was over seventy when he finished it. The style is plainer and graver than his earlier work on the Sistine ceiling. It faces his Conversion of Saul on the opposite wall of the chapel.

Questions about The Crucifixion of Saint Peter

Where is it?

Pauline Chapel, Vatican City.

Why is Peter upside down?

Tradition says he felt unworthy to die the same way as Christ.

When was it painted?

Around 1546 to 1550.

Is there a companion fresco?

Yes, the Conversion of Saul, on the opposite wall.

Sources and image credit

Wikimedia Commons: Crocifissione di san Pietro (photo by Sailko, CC BY 3.0)

Photograph of The Crucifixion of Saint Peter by Sailko, licensed CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. The fresco itself is in the public domain. Detail images are crops of the same photograph.