Saint Peter freed by the Angel

Bigot is an important figure in the milieu of the French Caravaggists in Rome, also known as the Candlelight master, because of his celebrated “nights” of deep darkness. The manner may be stylistically reminiscent of the famous Utrecht painter Gerrit van Honthorst in its theatrical nature, but as Brejon de Lavergnée has well noted: “Bigot's Night is of a deeper darkness, the effect is more concentrated than in the Honthorst, even if the execution is less prestigious”.
The works by this artist already appear in the 17th century in the grand ducal collections of Cardinal Leopold de' Medici and are faithfully imitated by “tenebristi” followers for private collectors.
The “night light” effects are spectacular, although compared to the expressiveness and spiritual complexity of the Candlelight Master (of whom there is a painting on the second floor of the museum) the scenes appear more rigid and schematic.
The angel's head, with its curved physiognomy, may recall the style of Spadarino.