Raffaello (1483-1520)
La pesca miracolosa (The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, Luke 5: 1-11)
c.1515–1516
Cartoon for a tapestry, 322 × 401 cm
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Raphael Cartoons are designs for tapestries and were commissioned from Raphael by Pope Leo X (reg. 1513-21) shortly after his election in 1513. The tapestries were intended to hang in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, built by one of Leo‘s predecessors Pope Sixtus IV (reg. 1471-84). The Chapel was primarily intended for the use of the Pope and the body of clergy and Laity immediately surrounding him. The decoration of the chapel under Sixtus addressed the lives of Moses and Christ. The tapestries continued this theme, illustrating scenes from the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul who were seen as the founders of the Christian Church, and reinforcing the legitimity of the Pope’s authority and power. The resulting tapestries had in addition woven borders showing scenes from Leo‘s life and from the lives of Saint Paul, also designed by Raphael: the cartoons for these have not survived.
In this cartoon Christ tells Peter to cast his net into the water whereupon he and his fellow apostles make a miraculous catch. The story refers to Peter’s role as “fisher of men”, who converts others to Christianity. It also demonstrates his humility as he kneels before Christ to acknowledge His divinity, and confess his own sinfulness. (V&A)
See also:
• Leo X, Pope (1475-1521)