Spanish artist Raúl Berzosa achieved a career milestone when his portrait of Saint Peter To Rot was displayed on the façade of St. Peter's Basilica during the saint's canonization ceremony on October 19. The 46-year-old painter from Málaga, Spain, who has previously created papal portraits for the Vatican and artwork for Vatican ceremonies including the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum, described this commission as the culmination of his artistic career dedicated to reflecting faith through art.
Saint Peter To Rot, born in Papua New Guinea, served as a catechist and died as a martyr for his faith in 1945. He was canonized alongside six other saints on October 19, becoming the first Papuan saint. During Saint John Paul II's 1995 visit to Papua New Guinea, the Polish pope described To Rot's life as "a beacon shining bright, a signal fire leading you to hold aloft the noble ideals which inspired him: faith in God, love of family, service of neighbor, and unswerving courage in the face of trials and sacrifice."
Berzosa, renowned worldwide for his realistic style and religious themes, told ACI Prensa that his primary goal was to convey the inner spiritual light that Saint John Paul II had described. "If the portrait manages to convey some of Peter To Rot's bright inner light and helps others strengthen their faith, then the work will have fulfilled its true function," the Spanish painter explained. He added, "I hope that the faithful see in his gaze not only a martyr but a man full of peace, love for his family, and fidelity to the Gospel."
The artistic challenge of creating the official portrait required extensive research and careful attention to historical accuracy. Berzosa worked from black and white photographs as well as a color portrait based on one of the original photographs to create his painting. "The main challenge was to approach Peter To Rot's image itself with respect and accuracy," he explained. Throughout the process, he was assisted by Father Tomás Agustín Ravaioli, the vice postulator of the saint's cause.
In the portrait, Saint Peter To Rot is depicted wearing the traditional attire of local catechists: a white shirt and a blue wrap. Berzosa emphasized the historical significance of these details, noting that when Japanese forces threatened catechists and prohibited apostolic activities, most catechists hid their crosses out of fear. "Peter To Rot was the only catechist who continued to proudly display the white cross that identified him as a catechist," the artist observed.
The composition includes symbolic elements that tell the story of the saint's life and martyrdom. In one hand, To Rot holds a Bible, while his other open hand displays two rings, representing his defense of the sacrament of marriage. A cross hangs from his neck – the same cross he wanted to wear when he died, which later proved crucial in identifying his mortal remains. Behind the figure of the saint, the countryside of his native Papua New Guinea provides a backdrop that connects him to his homeland.
Berzosa paid particular attention to the lighting effects in the portrait, wanting them to emerge from within the face itself to create a serene quality that engages viewers and conveys hope. The light blue and green brushstrokes create a warm atmosphere, with the color palette and overall composition designed to accompany what he calls a "luminous message." For Berzosa, To Rot's essential witness demonstrates that holiness can be lived out in everyday life, even amid suffering.
The artist reflected on the unique challenges of portraying martyrs, whose lives, though often brief, are filled with profound meaning through their dedication to love and fidelity to Christ. "I try to understand that mixture of strength and peace of someone who gives his life for Christ," Berzosa said. "When I paint portraits of martyrs, there is a special respect for the person portrayed. Their witness transcends cultures and eras." He consistently seeks to convey the serenity of these Gospel witnesses in the most decisive moments of their lives.
The official portrait, which was displayed on St. Peter's Basilica from October 17 through the canonization ceremony, represents what Berzosa considers a fruit of divine grace. For an artist who has spent his career creating religious artwork for the Vatican, seeing his work displayed on the façade of the world's most famous Catholic basilica marked an unprecedented honor and the fulfillment of his artistic mission to illuminate faith through visual art.
