Artwork
Jonah Thrown into the Stormy Sea
Jonah Thrown into the Stormy Sea is an ink print by the Baroque artist Justus Sadeler. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Justus Sadeler’s 1615 engraving, executed on laid paper, portrays the biblical prophet Jonah as he is cast into a turbulent sea. The composition captures a moment of intense movement, with waves and sky rendered in stark contrasts that emphasize the peril of the scene. As a print, the work could be reproduced and circulated among early‑modern audiences.
Subject & Meaning
The image illustrates the episode from the Book of Jonah in which the prophet, having fled divine command, is hurled overboard during a storm. This dramatic juncture underscores themes of divine retribution and the futility of escaping destiny, reflecting the moral and theological concerns prevalent in early‑17th‑century religious art.
Technique & Style
Sadeler employed fine line engraving to delineate the churning water, the foamy crests, and Jonah’s contorted figure. The use of laid paper, with its characteristic ribbed texture, contributes to the work’s tonal depth. The print demonstrates the Northern European tradition of detailed, narrative-driven prints that balance precise draughtsmanship with expressive chiaroscuro.
History & Provenance
Created in 1615, the engraving belongs to Sadeler’s productive period in Antwerp, where he worked alongside other prominent printmakers. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work appears in several early catalogues of Sadeler’s oeuvre, indicating its circulation among collectors of religious prints during the Baroque era.
Artist & collection
![Storm off the Coast of Barcelona [recto], by Jacques Callot](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/jacques-callot--storm-off-the-coast-of-barcelona-recto--92a18ea3f3786efe-w320.webp)
