Open full image Pin

The Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes

Léonard Gaultier

1576

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

The Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes is a 1576 ink by Léonard Gaultier, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Léonard Gaultier
When & what style?: 1576 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a crowd of people gathered around two men at the center. One man holds a large basket, while the other seems to be blessing the food. In the background, a boat floats on water, and rocky hills rise up behind it. The scene is packed with small figures—some standing, others sitting or lying down—all focused on the two main men. The title says this is about feeding a crowd with just a few loaves and fish. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, making the figures and landscape stand out. Check out how this was made with engraving.