Storm op het Meer van Galilea Possibly 1705 - 1728

This is "Storm on the Sea of Galilee", an etching by Matthijs Pool, from around 1700. The image portrays a vivid scene of the biblical episode where Christ calms a storm, rich with symbolism. Here, the storm itself—a motif as old as art itself—represents chaos and existential threat. Think back to ancient flood narratives, such as Utnapishtim from the Epic of Gilgamesh, with very similar depictions of raging seas. Now, observe how in Pool's image, the disciples embody primal fear, mirroring the anxiety found in the faces of those on the "Raft of the Medusa." Christ's raised hand, commanding the storm, echoes the gesture of Jupiter wielding thunderbolts; a sign of absolute control over the natural order. This gesture resonates through time, appearing in countless works that depict authority and divine intervention. It speaks to our deepest longing for order amidst chaos; an emotional and psychological response encoded in our collective memory. The cyclical nature of these symbols reminds us that though times change, humanity's fears, hopes, and dreams remain eternally intertwined.