“The Miracle of the Gaderene Swine,” created by Briton Riviere in 1883, is an evocative piece of religious painting rooted in the Academicism art movement. In the artwork, two figures, seemingly agitated and alarmed, are positioned on a rocky outcrop. Beyond them, an entire herd of swine is depicted hurtling over the edge of a cliff into the abyss below, their chaotic descent captured with intense dynamism. A dog, presumably startled, also reacts in the foreground, accentuating the sense of turmoil that pervades the scene. The backdrop is characterized by a dramatic sky, infused with hues that signify both a tranquil yet ominous atmosphere. The composition, underpinned by vivid details and expressive movement, visually narrates a moment of divine and miraculous intervention.
