Who painted The Miraculous Draught of Fishes?

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes was painted by Raphael in 1509.

Where can I see The Miraculous Draught of Fishes?

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Miraculous Draught of Fishes?

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes

Raphael , 1509

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes is a print by the Renaissance artist Raphael. It dates from 1509 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes is a printed work attributed to Raphael, dated to around 1509. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The piece presents a narrative scene rendered in a sketch‑like manner, with a focus on movement and gesture rather than fine detail.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a group of figures hauling a massive net brimming with fish from a lake, a visual reference to the biblical episode in which Jesus and his disciples draw a large catch. A figure on the right appears to be offering a blessing, underscoring the religious context of the scene.

Technique & Style

Executed with loose, rapid lines, the work resembles a hurried drawing rather than a finished painting. The composition balances a crowded foreground of struggling men with a distant landscape of hills and diminutive figures, creating depth through simple tonal contrasts.

Context

The work bears the inscription “Raphael,” a notable deviation from the artist’s early practice, as he rarely signed his preparatory sketches. This signature aids scholars in confirming the attribution despite the informal execution.

History & Provenance

Created in the early sixteenth century, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on view as an example of Raphael’s early narrative studies.