Peter Paying the Temple Tax

1820/1821

Gustav Heinrich Naeke

Associated Names
Gustav Heinrich Naeke

Artist, German, 1786 - 1835

The image shows three men gathered closely together, with a partial view of a fourth man peering out from a window. The man on the left is bent slightly at the waist, facing the other two men, and is holding a small object in his right hand. His facial features are soft with a gentle expression and his hair is depicted as curly. He wears a long robe with draped folds that cover most of his body, and appears barefoot. The two other men stand closer together. The man in the center has a calm expression with short curly hair and a light beard, and wears a long robe. The third man, positioned on the right, has a more aged appearance with a longer beard, and wears a long robe. Behind them, the fourth man observes from a window or opening in the structure. The setting is under a structure with a tiled roof and a series of columns. In the background, beyond an archway, a landscape with hills is visible, as well as a distant figure sitting on the ground. The composition appears to be a carefully sketched scene with attention to architectural detail and perspective.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink over graphite on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 25.2 x 19.7 cm (9 15/16 x 7 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1999.133.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Heinrich Wilhelm Campe, Leipzig (1770 - 1862) (Lugt 1391). (Emanuel von Baeyer, London); purchased 1999 by NGA.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

lower right in ink: Evangelius S. Matthaii, Cap: XVII XVII; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: Heinr Naeke; by later hand, lower right in graphite: No 488

Wikidata ID

Q64572785

You may be interested in

Loading Results