The Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes c. 1572 - 1580

"The Miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes" is an engraving by Léonard Gaultier, made sometime between his birth in 1561 and his death in 1641. Gaultier was a French printmaker, who lived during a time of religious conflict in Europe. As a result, biblical scenes such as this one were very popular. The engraving depicts the moment when Jesus miraculously feeds a large crowd of people with only a few loaves of bread and fish. Notice how the composition emphasizes abundance and sharing. Baskets overflow as Christ acts to fulfill both the spiritual and physical hunger of his followers. The faces in the crowd show the diversity of the crowd, all of whom benefit from this miracle. This image offered hope and spiritual nourishment, but it also reflects contemporary concerns about class divisions in the artist's society. The image is as much about Gaultier’s time, as it is about the biblical story. It reminds us of the human capacity for empathy and the importance of collective care.