The artwork titled “St. Peter and St. Paul” is an icon crafted in the period circa 1250 to circa 1350, emanating from the Galicia-Volyn school. Notably, this piece is categorized within the genre of religious iconography, as part of a series dedicated to Saints. Presently, this revered artwork is housed at the National Art Museum of Ukraine, located in Kyiv, within that country.
The artwork depicts two of the most significant figures in Christian tradition, St. Peter and St. Paul, standing side by side. Both saints are displayed with haloed heads, indicative of their sanctity and divine recognition. On the left, St. Peter is represented holding keys, which symbolize the keys to heaven and his role as the gatekeeper, as per Christian belief. His iconography typically includes such keys, reflecting his charge given by Christ. Additionally, the book he clutches signifies his contribution to the Christian doctrine and teachings.
St. Paul, on the right, is seen gesturing with one hand while holding a series of scrolls or perhaps a single rolled document in the other. This likely alludes to his extensive writings and epistles, which form a substantial portion of the New Testament. The presence of the scrolls underscores his role as an apostle, theologian, and missionary.
The figures are rendered with elongated proportions characteristic of the Byzantine artistic tradition, which is also reflected in the icon’s architectural and stylistic elements. Their garments are depicted with flattened, angular folds and a limited palette, focusing on the spiritual rather than naturalistic representation. The text in the background, presumably written in Church Slavonic, would traditionally be used to identify the saints and may include a fragment of liturgical text associated with them.
Overall, the iconography and style of the artwork are deeply rooted in the tradition of Eastern Orthodox Christian art, aiming to inspire reverence and spiritual contemplation in the viewer.
