Who painted Study for Miraculous Draught of Fishes (?)?

Study for Miraculous Draught of Fishes (?) was painted by Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet in 1680.

Where can I see Study for Miraculous Draught of Fishes (?)?

Study for Miraculous Draught of Fishes (?) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Study for Miraculous Draught of Fishes (?)?

Study for Miraculous Draught of Fishes (?) is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Study for Miraculous Draught of Fishes (?)

Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet , 1680

Study for Miraculous Draught of Fishes (?) is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet. It dates from 1680 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Jean‑Baptiste Jouvenet’s drawing, dated 1680, serves as a preparatory study for a larger composition titled Miraculous Draught of Fishes.

About this work

Overview

Jean‑Baptiste Jouvenet’s drawing, dated 1680, serves as a preparatory study for a larger composition titled Miraculous Draught of Fishes. Executed on brown paper with black chalk and occasional white highlights, the work consists of a rapid, gestural sketch of several figures in flowing garments, captured in a mixture of standing and kneeling poses.

Subject & Meaning

The figures appear to represent participants in the biblical episode of the miraculous catch of fish, a narrative in which Jesus directs his disciples to cast their nets and obtain an abundant haul. Though the faces remain indistinct, the composition hints at the spiritual awe and communal activity central to the story.

Technique & Style

Jouvenet employs loose, trembling lines that convey movement and the weight of draped fabric. The contrast between the dark chalk and the paper’s warm tone, punctuated by touches of white chalk, suggests an exploratory approach to light and form typical of Baroque studies, emphasizing dynamism over finished detail.

History & Provenance

Created in the late seventeenth century, the drawing likely functioned as a workshop sketch for an oil painting that has not survived or remains unidentified. Its attribution to Jouvenet is based on stylistic parallels with his known religious compositions from the same period.

Context

During the Baroque era, artists frequently produced preparatory drawings to resolve complex groupings and narrative action before committing to large canvases. Jouvenet, active in Paris, was part of a generation that emphasized dramatic gestures and theatrical lighting, qualities reflected in this study’s energetic draftsmanship.