Crucifixion of St. peter

The Crucifixion of St. Peter was the second painting Michelangelo painted for the Pauline Chapel, and his final fresco done before his death. In August 1545 the second wall was prepared for the fresco on the right hand side of the chapel but it's unknown when he actually started painting it. The Pope made a visit in mid October of 1549 and the fresco was still unfinished. That winter on November 10, he died. Perhaps Michelangelo himself was the influence of the change to the subject of the imitation of crucifixion of Christ, reflecting himself in the subject of Peter. 

Crucifixion of St. Peter 

Peter, one of Jesus's apostles was in Rome when his followers urged him to flee before he could be killed. While he was leaving, he encountered Jesus in a dream. Jesus was walking towards Rome when Peter asked where he was going. Jesus replied, "To Rome to be crucified again.," Peter was ashamed of himself and returned to Rome to die a martyrs death. He felt unworthy of being crucified the same way as Jesus so he asked to be crucified upside-down.

Michelangelo chose to represent the moment when the Roman soldiers were raising the cross. Peter is leaning upward and looking out, he engages the eyes of the viewer. The figures act like puppets in the hands of God. The crucifiers seem to act out divine necessity without feeling or ill will. Onlookers accept Peter's suffering.

(Howard Hibbard: Michelangelo, second edition)

Detail of Peter

Detail of viewers

Detail of soldiers on horses

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