Saint Peter

The painting represents Saint Peter half-length with his face turned to the right and the key in his hand. The usual expedient of spatial projection is applied to the image, which dilates the hands and heads in the foreground, overwhelming the entire visual field with them. On the back the panel bears a curious late-18th century "expertise" that ascribes it to Domenico Maria Canuti. However, there is no connection with the well-known works of the Bolognese, while instead every element seems to prove the attribution to Ricchi. Saint Peter, with a hooked nose and hair meticulously distinguished one by one in precious golden threads, clearly falls within the type of this artist.