The Liberation of St Peter

With its vibrant textures and rich, sombre palette of lush blue, ochres and oranges, all beautifully modulated by the half light, the present painting illustrates how the influence of Titian was still strongly embedded in Guercino’s work, even after his arrival in Rome. At the same time, new sources of inspiration may be seen, for example that of Caravaggio, and his followers, as well as Guido Reni.