(Italian, 1582-1647)

Peter and Christ on the Sea of Galilee (or Christ Saves Peter from Sinking in the Water), circa 1650, after Giovanni Lanfranco's fresco for the Navicella Altar (Inventory No. 44238) in St Peter's Basilica, The Vatican, Rome by Giovanni Lanfranco, unsigned, oil on canvas, 45-1/4 x 34-1/2 in., (114.3 x 86.36 cm.); modern gilt wood frame, 52-1/4 x 41 x 3 in.

Provenance: The Estate of Gary L. Johnson, Virginia

Note: This painting expands the composition of the current Navicella Altarpiece that was re-made in mosaic after Lanfranco's original fresco collapsed within his lifetime. The Vatican has since restored the portion of the original that remains. Erich Schleier, the expert on Lanfranco, stated, "In my opinion this painting is not by Lanfranco, but is a copy of good painterly quality by some able painter of the second half of the 17th century after Lanfranco's fresco or after one of the engravings after the altar- fresco. It would be interesting to try to find out who could have painted this copy, which is of notable quality." Further research into the period engravings do not display the expanded composition to the right.