MOSAIC ARTIST, Italian
(active 4th century in Rome)

Traditio Clavium (detail)

4th century
Mosaic
Santa Costanza, Rome

The picture shows a detail of the mosaic Traditio Clavium from the right apse of Santa Costanza. The "traditio clavium" - Christ handing over the keys of heaven to St Peter - was conceived as the counterpart of the "traditio legis", the transmission of the divine law. St Peter is shown receiving the key from Christ enthroned with covered hands, a sign of his reverence.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.