He looks straight out at us, his head veiled in white.
Bible in art · Matthew
Jesus Walks on the Sea (Jésus marche sur la mer)
James Tissot · 1886–1894
Brooklyn Museum, New York
One of the best known sheets of the series: Jesus comes towards us over the dark water of the lake at night, barefoot, in a white robe with a pale sash, his hands raised.
A soft white glow surrounds his whole figure, and small waves break around his feet. The moon hangs behind him. Tissot left out the boat and the frightened disciples — we see him as they did.
From the text
- “During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea” (Matthew 14:25)
- “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)
The artist’s own
- A glow of light around his figure
- The scene seen from the boat, which is not shown
Details
His face
A raised hand
Both hands are lifted, palms forward.
On the water
Bare feet on the surface of the dark waves.
The moon
A pale moon in the night sky.
James Tissot, French, 1836–1902. Brooklyn Museum, New York (Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.138) · Opaque watercolor over graphite on green wove paper · Brooklyn Museum (Commons file page, «Permission»): "This image was uploaded by the Brooklyn Museum as a content partnership, and is considered to have no known copyright restrictions by the institutions of the Brooklyn Museum." — "No known copyright restrictions".