When Vincent van Gogh saw this depiction of the storm on Galilee (one of six versions Delacroix painted), he said “the blue and green
sketch…speak[s] a symbolic language through color itself.” While some of Delacroix’s
works are characterized by beautiful attention to detail, this piece strikes
the senses and communicates through sheer bold color. The eye naturally is
drawn to and contrasts the frenzied disciple in the center with the peacefully sleeping
Christ, each attired in the same white and deep blue. The other men in the boat
serve to draw attention to these central characters: a disciple near the first
flails, catching the eye, while those further from him are motionless in their
fear.
“Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the
boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping.”
~Matthew 8:25
NOTE: The painting posted in the library is slightly different from that pictured here. Delacroix painted six versions of this Biblical scene.
