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The Miraculous Draught of Fishes

Schelte Adams Bolswert

1622

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes is a 1622 ink by Schelte Adams Bolswert, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Schelte Adams Bolswert
When & what style?: 1622 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

The image depicts a dramatic scene of men struggling to control a boat amidst turbulent waters, with a large net overflowing with fish. The men are dressed in robes, and one of them appears to be Jesus, who is standing at the bow of the boat. The sky above is filled with dark clouds, and seagulls are flying overhead. In the foreground, the men are shown in various poses, some of them leaning over the side of the boat, while others are standing upright, trying to maintain their balance. The net is overflowing with fish, and some of them are jumping out of the water. The engraving technique used in this artwork is notable for its level of detail and texture, particularly in the depiction of the waves and the clothing of the men. For more information on the technique used in this artwork, look up the term "engraving".