PICTURES OF THE BIBLE © Serge Ceruti and Gérard Dufour 2008
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The miraculous Draught of Fishes; Gustave DORÉ; 1865; engraving from “The Holy Bible”
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On the Lake : The miraculous Draught of Fishes |
TO UNDERSTAND THE SCENE |
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WHAT YOU CAN SEE IN THIS PICTURE...AND IN OTHER PICTURES
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It should not be confused with
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Quite a number of narratives
in the Gospel take place on Lake Tiberias, a real interior sea with its
storms, its boats and its fishermen, among them several apostles, Simon
Peter in particular. All these representations have in common a fishing-boat
on the lake.
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St Peter is walking on the Water; Lluis BORRASSà; 1411-13; tempera on wood; Sant Pere, Tarrasa, Spain
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Jesus walks on the Water Wanting to imitate Jesus who is calling him, Peter tries to walk on the water, but sinks and holds out his hand towards Christ who rescues him. The boat is full of fish but this is another subject. (See Jesus walks on the Water) |
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The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew; DUCIO di Buoninsegna; 1308-11; tempera on panel; National Gallery of Art, Washington
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The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew represents a boat and some fishermen. They are in their fishing-boat and they cast their net into the lake. Jesus is on the shore and calls them but this time; the catch of fish is “normal”. |
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Jésus
endormi pendant la tempête;
Julius SCHORR von CAROLSFELD;
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The stilled storm A fishing-boat is violently rocked by a strong storm on the lake; Jesus who was asleep stills the storm. |
THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE
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The miraculous Draught of Fishes; Gustave DORÉ; 1865; engraving from “The Holy Bible”
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On the Lake : The miraculous Draught of Fishes |
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The Gospel according to John, chapter 21 After his death and resurrection, “Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias” (21:1). At night, the apostles go fishing but do not catch any fish; in the morning, Jesus whom they have not recognised, is on the shore. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. (John 21:5-7) |
Another scene of a miraculous draught of fishes is to found in the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 5. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's… he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. (Luke 5:3-11) |
SIMILAR PICTURES
| On the Lake : The miraculous Draught of Fishes |
The representations of miraculous draughts of fishes can be differentiated by the position and role of Christ |
The miraculous Draught of Fishes; Gustave DORÉ; 1865; engraving from “The Holy Bible”
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If Jesus is in St Peter’s boat and gives the order to cast the nets, this is the narrative by Luke. The miracle is visible as soon as the words are pronounced. The nets are full; the men turn towards Jesus who is often sitting, sometimes standing, in the boat. |
The miraculous Draught of Fishes; RAPHAEL; 1515; tempera on paper mounted on canvas; Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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The miraculous Draught of Fishes; Peter Paul RUBENS; 1618; black chalk, pen and oil on paper stuck on canvas; central panel of the diptych of Our Lady of the Dyle in Malines; National Gallery, London
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If Jesus stands on the shore, this is John’s narrative. The scene takes place after the resurrection; the emphasis is laid on Jesus and not on the draught of fishes. |
Christ’s Appearance on Lake Tiberias; DUCCIO di Buoninsegna; 1308; tempera on wood; Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Siena, Italy
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The miraculous Draught of Fishes; Konrad WITZ; 1444; tempera on wood; Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Geneva, Switzerland
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Here, the lake is calm and the catch of fish is not miraculous. Two opposite representations of the calling to the Apostles, laying the stress either on the sea or on the men. |
The Calling of St Peter and St Andrew; Pietro di CORTONA; c. 1626; study for a fresco of the chapel of Sacchetti Villa; National Gallery, London
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The Calling of St Peter; GHIRLANDAIO; 1481; fresco; Sistine Chapel, Vatican.
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The early Christians have used a surprising picture, that
if the angler who normally catches fish but who, in the catacombs or on
sarcophagi evokes Salvation and Baptism. The meaning of this sign has
completely disappeared nowadays whereas the net and the fishing-boat keep
some religious meaning.
After a fresco in the catacombs of St Callixtus in Rome
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BIBLE PICTURES © Serge Ceruti and Gérard Dufour 2008
