Christ Walking on the Water

Around 1600 Rome was full of painters from the Low Countries, and some of them, like the Flemish landscapist Paul Bril, built their reputations on small pictures painted on copper. The smooth metal takes very fine brushwork and keeps colours bright, and collectors prized such pieces. In 1893 the art historian Adolfo Venturi took this copper and its companion for Flemish work, and at one point Bril's own name was suggested. The scene comes from Matthew's Gospel. Peter has climbed out of the boat to walk towards Christ across the water, lost his nerve and begun to sink. Christ grips his hand, his own right arm raised, while Peter, up to his waist in the waves, throws his free arm wide. Behind them the other disciples crowd a tilting boat, and on the left shafts of light break through the dark clouds.