Arcadópolis
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee
Rembrandt, 1633
What you see
A fishing boat heels over a towering wave that bursts into foam against the bow. The mast slashes diagonally across the canvas, and the sail is torn. At the top, one man climbs the rigging; at the bow, others haul on ropes; at the stern, on the right, a group huddles together while one man grips the rudder. More than a dozen figures share the boat.
The picture splits in two: on the left, clouds part to reveal a patch of blue sky and golden light; on the right, near-black darkness hangs over churning water. The foam is laid on in thick white strokes. Don’t miss the small flag at the top of the mast, and the man leaning over the side.
About Rembrandt
Rembrandt van Rijn was the great master of light and shadow of the Dutch Golden Age, in Amsterdam. He painted faces so expressive that they seem to think and feel. He made about 80 self-portraits, like a diary of his whole life.
More by Rembrandt
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