Francisco Gallego, Altarpiece of St. Catherine: Detail, Saints Peter and Paul

15th century
Oil on panel
Chapter room, Old Cathedral, Salamanca, Spain

This panel is from the predella, flanked by narrower panels with St. Gregory the Great and St. Jerome. Its central position and greater width reflects the greater importance of Saints Peter and Paul.

Peter's keys are his attribute, and Paul's sword and book are his. Following ancient tradition, the artist gives Paul a long, pointy beard and male-pattern baldness, while Peter is bald at the crown of his head and has a shorter beard.

View the entire retable.
Read more about St. Peter
Read more about St. Paul

Photographed at the site by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.