The Miraculous Draught of Fishes tapestry is a magnificent artwork created by Pieter van Aelst in the Brussels workshop of Heinrich Mattens, about one hundred years after Raphael Sanzio’s creation of the original cartoon. The tapestry depicts fishermen pulling up their nets while Peter and Jesus collect their catch. It is made from silk and wool, with silver-gilt threads and has a height of 490 cm and width of 441 cm.
This masterpiece is one of the ten cartoons that Raphael created for draperies to be made in Pieter Van Aelst’s workshop at Brussels, which is known for weaving some exceptional designs. The Vatican Museums in Rome hold this breathtaking piece along with other surviving cartoons created by Raphael for Pieter Van Aelst’s workshop.
Pieter van Aelst not only did justice to Raphael’s vision but also put his spin on it by imbuing the work with his sense of style; this has resulted in an ethereal work that both honors its sources while being elevated beyond them. Visitors who gaze upon its magnificence will undoubtedly be struck by its beauty and moved by the story it tells, making it a must-see artwork for lovers of masterpieces.
