Duccio was an Italian painter who lived in the city of
Siena in Tuscany
during the late 13th century and early 14th century. Just
over a dozen of his works have survived to the present day, one of these being
his greatest and most glorious work the Maestà.
The Maestà
was a huge altarpiece which Duccio was commissioned to paint in the year 1308
for the Cathedral in Siena.
When finished in 1311 it contained 59 small panels with different religious
scenes besides the main painting. One of these smaller scenes was The Appearance of Christ on the Lake of Tiberias.
In this scene the dominate figures are those of Christ
and Simon Peter. Peter has just stepped out of the boat and is walking on the
water to Christ, who is signaling him to come. The other apostles are attending
to earthly matters and are not giving full attention to the miracle.
Let us pray for the 265th successor of St.
Peter, Pope Benedict XVI, during this last week of his papacy. May God reward
him abundantly for the great things that he has done for the Church.
