Christ at the Sea of Galilee is a late work by Tintoretto
(real name Jacopo Robusti, 1518-94) that can be seen at the National Gallery of
Art, Washington. However, doubts have been expressed as to whether the work is
actually by Tintoretto or by a member of his circle.
The scene that is portrayed is the incident in the New
Testament (Matthew 14:22-33) in which Jesus walks across the water towards the
boat in which his disciples have been caught in a storm and Peter attempts to
leave the boat and walk back towards Jesus.
The most striking thing about this painting is the immense
sense of drama that is conveyed in a single image. Everything is in motion save
for two objects – the figure of Christ on the left of the canvas and the tree
on the right. They act like the two sides of a proscenium arch, between which
the drama takes place on stage.
The thrashing waves echo the drama of the stormy sky, and
the boat’s sail is curved into a thorn shape as the mast is bent almost to
breaking point by the wind.
The figure of Christ dominates the left-hand side as he
takes command of the scene, but it is also noticeable that his body and face
are insubstantial and not painted in any great detail. Even his halo is just a
quickly painted swirl. His disproportionately elongated finger seems to melt
into the distant shore. His upper costume is painted in the same colours as the
sea and the sky while his lower robes reflect the light that can also be seen
on the wave tops. He is therefore an integral part of the world that has been
turned upside down for the frightened disciples.
The finger points towards the other human player in the
drama, namely Peter, who is stepping over the side of the boat in the hope of
following Jesus’s example.
The great thing about this painting is that one can almost
hear it as well as see it. The storm is making a dreadful noise but the voice
of Christ can also be heard, calling Peter across the water. It is an
uncertain, dangerous world we are being shown, but the message of hope
portrayed by the still figure of Christ is strong and unmissable.
Tintoretto (if he is indeed the artist) has no doubt that
all will end well and Christ and Peter will meet. Violence, he is saying, is
powerless in the presence of God, and the same applies throughout the ages.
© John Welford
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