The artwork titled “Christ on the Sea of Galilee” was created by the esteemed artist Eugene Delacroix in 1854. This religious painting, which employs oil on canvas as its medium, stands as a fine example of the Romanticism art movement. The dimensions of the piece measure approximately 59.8 by 73.3 centimeters. Currently, the artwork is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum, located in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States.
“Christ on the Sea of Galilee” demonstrates a quintessential Romantic sensibility, with Delacroix portraying a scene imbued with emotion and dramatic effect. The artwork depicts a turbulent sea with dark, menacing clouds overhead, suggesting an impending storm. A boat is seen heaving in the churning waters, its sails billowing and at risk of being torn apart by the violence of the wind. On board, several figures can be discerned in states of distress; their postures and expressions suggest fear and desperation. The central figure, identifiable as Jesus Christ by traditional iconography, remains a focal point of calm amidst the surrounding chaos. Delacroix’s use of color and dynamic brushwork amplifies the sense of motion and the perilous nature of the scene. The tension between divine tranquility and human anxiety is deftly captured, evoking both the viewer’s empathy for the figures’ plight and a contemplation of the spiritual theme.
