Collections: European Art: Jesus Walks on the Sea (Jésus marche sur la mer)

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Jesus Walks on the Sea (Jésus marche sur la mer)

• Portfolio/Series: The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ (La Vie de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ)

While Jesus retreats to the mountain to pray, his disciples travel ahead of him, sailing once more across stormy waters. Seeking to calm the frightened apostles, Jesus walks across the sea, but this further terrifies them as they momentarily believe him to be a ghost.

Tissot attempts to explain the fears of the disciples, in a commentary that melds his interests in scientific observation and in legend: noting the early hour designated by the Gospel account—3 a.m.—and the weather conditions, he surmises that the darkness must have been complete. But finding no other explanation for a source of light to illuminate Christ, he concludes that “light emanated from His body, and irradiated all around Him to some extent.” He concludes that only the voice of Jesus with its recognizable “ordinary” salutation—“Be of good cheer”—could reassure the disciples.


• Artist: James Tissot, French, 1836-1902
• Medium: Opaque watercolor over graphite on green wove paper
• Place Made: France
• Dates: 1886-1894
• Dimensions: Image: 11 3/16 x 4 13/16 in. (28.4 x 12.2 cm) Sheet: 11 3/16 x 4 13/16 in. (28.4 x 12.2 cm)
• Signature: Signed bottom right: "J.J. Tissot"
• Collections: European Art
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Robert E. Blum Gallery, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 00.159.138
• Credit Line: Purchased by public subscription
• Image: Overall, 00.159.138_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). Jesus Walks on the Sea (Jésus marche sur la mer), 1886-1894. Opaque watercolor over graphite on green wove paper, Image: 11 3/16 x 4 13/16 in. (28.4 x 12.2 cm) Sheet: 11 3/16 x 4 13/16 in. (28.4 x 12.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.138 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 00.159.138_PS1.jpg)