Opening: 30 April 2009, 11 a.m.

“Saint Peter's Denial” was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn, the greatest genius of the Dutch Golden Age and one of the most outstanding representatives of European visual arts.

The painting’s portrayal of inner passion and the staggering power of emotional maelstrom simply overwhelms its viewers. The night scene takes place after the arrest of Christ. Peter is warming up by the fire along with soldiers and servants when a maid recognises him and says: "This man was also with him." By the light of the candle in the girl's hand Peter faces questioning and hard looks. Perplexed deep inside, he cocoons his right hand in his robe in defense while extending his left hand to fend off the stares. “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” This is what he and the viewers are reminded of by Christ standing in the background, confronted by his interrogators, just as Luke wrote: "And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter."

Some of Rembrandt's etchings and engravings, closely related to the topic of the painting, are also on display, each selected from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts. Rembrandt's dramatic and monumental painting forms the centerpiece of the exhibition, accompanied by the more intimate etchings that invite contemplation. All exhibits are complemented by explanatory texts.

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At the opening of the Rembrandt exhibition, speeches were made by Dutch cultural attaché in Budapest Jan Kennis, Ildikó Ember, the curator of the exposition, and László Baán, director of the Museum of Fine Arts. The painting – Saint Peter’s Denial – that came to Budapest from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has pieces around it that support reception. The focused exhibition will teach you to see and refine your compulsive greed.
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