Eugène Delacroix - Christ on the Sea of Galilee 1840-1845
Christ on the Sea of Galilee 1840-1845
46x55cm oil/canvas
Portland Art Museum, Oregon, United States
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From Portland Art Museum, Oregon:
This is one of six paintings by Delacroix illustrating the biblical texts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, who recount how Christ calmed the waters of the Lake of Genesareth. In all three Gospel versions, while Christ sleeps a storm arises, frightening his disciples. Christ awakens, calms the storm, and chastises the disciples for their lack of faith. The Museum’s painting is unique in having a preparatory study and alone among the versions with a rowboat, as it represents Christ without a halo. Delacroix has chosen as his subject the moment before Christ awakens, subtly shifting the message of the painting from an affirmation of faith to an acknowledgement of doubt.