The Miraculous Draught of Fishes c. 1520

Ugo da Carpi created this chiaroscuro woodcut, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, in Italy around the 16th century. It depicts a scene from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus instructs fishermen to cast their nets, resulting in an abundant catch. Da Carpi made this print at a time when the Catholic Church was the centre of power in Italy. As such, biblical scenes were in high demand as they could offer moral lessons and reinforce religious doctrine. He used a process that involved multiple woodblocks to create the image with contrasts of light and shadow, this was a relatively new technology at the time. The fishermen's expressions of awe and wonder reflect the power of Christ, and the overflowing nets symbolize the abundance of God's blessings. Da Carpi also subtly critiques the structures of the established church, and by portraying ordinary people as the recipients of divine grace, he emphasizes the importance of individual faith over religious institutions. By studying historical documents, theological treatises, and artistic trends of the period, we can gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance and the artist's intent.