DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19388#0031
A DESCRIPTION OF THE CARTOONS OF RAPHAEL URBIN. 23
CARTOON I.
THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES.
And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke v. 10.
THIS was an amazing event; but as the principal persons were few, and half of
them necessarily engaged in the management of their nets, the historical expres-
sion is confined to three figures only, which are those of our Saviour, Peter, and
James. The principal figure of this picture is Christ, who is pronouncing the words
above quoted, in order to remove the apprehension of Peter, who, in a fine posture
of supplication, has just uttered these words, " Depart from me, for I am a sinful
man, O Lord." Our Saviour's figure and action are perfectly great and graceful j
and in his character, divinity, benignity, and tenderness, are expressed in the
highest degree. In Peter's countenance,* fear, wonder, and solicitude are blended in
a most extraordinary manner, and compose a character of expression worthy of Ra-
phael ;-J- the figure in the same boat, supposed to be that of James, is also finely
imagined and drawn; awe and attention are strongly marked in his face, and he
seems, by his action, to have acquiesced in the supplication of Peter, as acknow-
ledging himself unworthy of being the companion of Divinity.J The rest of the
figures, as has already been said, are chiefly concerned in attending to their employ-
ment, which, as they were in another vessel, naturally engrossed their attention;
only the nearest of them seems to have caught some part of the conversation, and
appears to listen: this last figure, and another, who are pulling up the net, are finely
drawn, contrasted, and foreshortened; and the whole figure of the old man in the
stern of the boat, who is very attentive to his business, is extremely fine.
The perspective in this Cartoon (in which the point of sight is placed pretty high)
occasions the sea to make a fine back ground for the figures, which, from its natural
hue, fails not of shewing the colouring of the figures to the utmost advantage. At a
great distance, upon the sea-shore, appear several groupes of figures, designed in a
masterly manner, the principal of which seems to consist of a number of persons
who are employed in the baptism of infants. Nothing need be said to the objection
commonly made by small critics to the size of the boats, that having been fully an-
swered by Mr. Richardson; who has also mentioned the effect of the sea-fowl, which
are artfully and judiciously placed in the fore ground, and indeed could be very ill
spared.
* Plate 29. No. I.
t Plate 18. No. I.
I Plate 13. No. 11.
CARTOON I.
THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES.
And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke v. 10.
THIS was an amazing event; but as the principal persons were few, and half of
them necessarily engaged in the management of their nets, the historical expres-
sion is confined to three figures only, which are those of our Saviour, Peter, and
James. The principal figure of this picture is Christ, who is pronouncing the words
above quoted, in order to remove the apprehension of Peter, who, in a fine posture
of supplication, has just uttered these words, " Depart from me, for I am a sinful
man, O Lord." Our Saviour's figure and action are perfectly great and graceful j
and in his character, divinity, benignity, and tenderness, are expressed in the
highest degree. In Peter's countenance,* fear, wonder, and solicitude are blended in
a most extraordinary manner, and compose a character of expression worthy of Ra-
phael ;-J- the figure in the same boat, supposed to be that of James, is also finely
imagined and drawn; awe and attention are strongly marked in his face, and he
seems, by his action, to have acquiesced in the supplication of Peter, as acknow-
ledging himself unworthy of being the companion of Divinity.J The rest of the
figures, as has already been said, are chiefly concerned in attending to their employ-
ment, which, as they were in another vessel, naturally engrossed their attention;
only the nearest of them seems to have caught some part of the conversation, and
appears to listen: this last figure, and another, who are pulling up the net, are finely
drawn, contrasted, and foreshortened; and the whole figure of the old man in the
stern of the boat, who is very attentive to his business, is extremely fine.
The perspective in this Cartoon (in which the point of sight is placed pretty high)
occasions the sea to make a fine back ground for the figures, which, from its natural
hue, fails not of shewing the colouring of the figures to the utmost advantage. At a
great distance, upon the sea-shore, appear several groupes of figures, designed in a
masterly manner, the principal of which seems to consist of a number of persons
who are employed in the baptism of infants. Nothing need be said to the objection
commonly made by small critics to the size of the boats, that having been fully an-
swered by Mr. Richardson; who has also mentioned the effect of the sea-fowl, which
are artfully and judiciously placed in the fore ground, and indeed could be very ill
spared.
* Plate 29. No. I.
t Plate 18. No. I.
I Plate 13. No. 11.