The Sleeping Christ during the Storm
- Original dimensions
- 61 x 50.8 cm
- Museum
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Year
- 1853
Scene depicted
This painting illustrates a moment of dramatic tension. As the raging sea engulfs the boat, the terrified apostles try to wake Christ, serene amidst the chaos. The work depicts not only a physical storm but also a spiritual crisis, capturing the contrast between human anxiety and divine peace.
Historical context
Artwork: The Christ Sleeping During the Storm |BRK| Artist: Eugène Delacroix |BRK| Year: 1853 |BRK| Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art |BRK| Dimensions: 61 x 50.8 cm |BRK| Major Exhibitions: Delacroix (1798-1863) |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
With The Christ Sleeping During the Storm , Delacroix reaches a stylistic peak. This pictorial work marks a significant evolution from his previous paintings , such as Liberty Leading the People and The Last Moments of Hamlet's Life , illustrating a growing mastery of color and complex emotions.
Anecdote
“Art must make the sublime accessible.” This quote from Delacroix resonates deeply when considering the genesis of this masterpiece . Inspired during a trip to the seaside, he encountered a storm and, observing the force of the crashing waves, an idea emerged: how could the divine maintain its serenity in the face of the fury of the elements. The Christ Sleeping During the Storm is a vibrant testament to this.
Major exhibitions
Delacroix (1798-1863)