Portugal, 16th century Limestone with traces of polychrome Inv. 91 Representation of Saint Peter crowned with the papal tiara and sitting on a rectangular monolith. The fragmented right hand is blessing the observer, while the left holds an impressive key, an iconographic attribute of the saint entrusted with guarding the gates of heaven. He wears a tunic and robe that falls over his knees in several folds, with traces of colour in red and gold tones (the latter mostly on the tiara, beard and key). The figure’s hieratic position is well suited to the image of Peter, the ‘bedrock’ of the Christian church, reflecting the dignity bestowed on him by the fact that he was the first Supreme Pontiff.