Raphael's Fine Art Tapestry in the Sistine Chapel | The Miraculous Draught of Fishes

Raphael's fine art tapestry of The Miraculous Draught of Fishes of ca. 1519 recounts a biblical episode from Luke (5:1-11) in which Jesus speaks to the masses on shore, teaching from a boat. Depicted in this fine art tapestry is the figure of Simon Peter who kneels before Christ pleading that Jesus leave him behind as the overloaded boat is sinking, due to the catch of a miraculous draught (haul) of fishes. Christ reassures Simon Peter not to worry, that from now on Simon Peter will be catching men.

Raphael's fine art tapestry designs are revolutionary to fine art tapestry weaving methods in Italian Renaissance art, abandoning the more traditional crowded floral or monochromatic fine art tapestry designs. Similar to his own fresco paintings, this fine art tapestry of The Miraculous Draught of Fishes gives us a more true pictorial rendering where figures move about freely in space with natural light and atmosphere

Brenda Harness, Art Historian