Henry Ossawa Tanner
Henry Ossawa Tanner favored religious subjects, in part because of his family’s strong spiritual convictions and professional ties to the church. The work we present today, The Disciples See Christ Walking on the Water, interprets the Gospel of Matthew. Rather than making Jesus the focus of the composition, Tanner highlights both the mystical atmosphere and the Apostles’ startled reactions to the scene.
The arrangement is cropped below the horizon line, which allows for the entire event to happen in the monochromatic expanse of the water, enhancing the uncanny tone of the work. Interestingly, Tanner portrays the sea as calm, although the Gospel describes it as “tossed with waves,” because he preferred meditative scenes. In the boat, each Apostle poses with expressive tension: Peter, the tallest figure, lowers his head and appears to be either extending his arms in acceptance or perhaps grasping the rigging for security, another kneels in prayer yet arches backwards with trepidation, and the figures in the stern cower and cover their eyes. Christ is depicted as a ghostly column of light in the upper left corner of the painting whose path is lit by the moon’s reflection on the sea. Alongside this compelling narrative, the painting is one the strongest examples of Tanner’s masterful use of color. The scene plays out in endless variations of blue. The thick layers of paint add a rich texture to the surface, and add even more depth and shading to the water, sky, and figures.
Have a great Thursday everyone!
P.S. Here you can read more on Henry Ossawa Tanner, an African American artistic pioneer. And here is a different face of religious art, controversial depictions of saints' ecstasies!