Jesus Stilling the Tempest (Jésus calmant la tempête)

While crossing the Sea of Galilee in a ship during the night, Jesus and his disciples are overtaken by a storm. Tissot omits any sign of landfall, heightening the sense of danger in the rough, stormy sea. Awakened by his followers, who fear for their lives, Jesus quiets the tempest with a dramatic and dynamic gesture and rebukes his companions for their lack of faith.

Tissot’s commentary connects this shipboard miracle with the miraculous draught of fishes, noting: “It was in the same boat, which then symbolized the Church, that Our Lord stilled the tempest and reassured the disciples, who typified redeemed mankind.”