Saint Thomas Aquinas preaching trust in God during the storm 1823

Ary Scheffer painted Saint Thomas Aquinas preaching trust in God during the storm using oil on canvas. Scheffer uses his medium to create an immersive atmosphere. Note the texture of the paint, applied with both delicate brushstrokes and vigorous impasto, mirroring the stormy seas and the impassioned gestures of Aquinas. The pigment itself contributes to the narrative, as the contrast between light and dark areas enhances the drama and draws us into the emotional experience of the figures. The work involved more than technical skill. Scheffer was engaging with a tradition of religious painting, but also with Romanticism's interest in heightened emotion. The choice of oil paint allowed him to blend and layer colors to create depth and nuance, as well as to revisit and rework the painting over time. Understanding the social and historical context in which this painting was made is crucial to fully appreciating its meaning, and as we consider the materials, the making, and the context, we see how it challenges the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.