In the artistic domain, there is a scope of visual representations of Jesus based on the Scripture. However, the portrayals of God’s Son vary depending on the Bible’s description of a particular passage or an artist’s approach and vision. One of the vivid depictions of Jesus in art is the picture of Jesus stilling the storm (The Stilling of the Tempest, Monika Liu Ho Peh). The chosen image of Jesus shows him in a boat alongside his disciples. The boat is fragile against the wind and the high waves in the stormy sea. The disciples are portrayed in the far end of the boat while Jesus’s figure is distinct and unblurred; it is placed in the front and center of the picture. Jesus stands high and straight; his arms are wide open, his sight is directed forward
The artist interprets biblical Jesus as omnipotent and impeccable. Jesus is portrayed in a glorious moment of stilling the storm in front of his disciples, which then demonstrated his holiness and might that even the natural powers obeyed him. The artist places Jesus in the front of the piece implying his leading and protecting position in relation to the disciples. His posture is strong; he stands straight, unlike all the disciples behind him, who are crawled and look desperate and helpless in dealing with the storm. However, Jesus is portrayed as a confident figure; the positioning of his posture and arms, and the direction of his sight manifest his fearlessness and assuredness. Jesus’ face is calm on the contrary to the fearful and hopeless faces of the other figures in the painting.
The passage from the Bible describes the plot depicted in the image in a very detailed manner. It narrates the episode where Jesus and his disciples cross the sea in a boat on a stormy day.
A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:37-41, New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version).
The two interpretations, the Biblical verse and the image by Monika Liu Ho Peh, share the same tone and atmosphere of power that Jesus has. The person of Jesus is reinterpreted by the author of the painting so that the image acquires new visual details that are not explicitly mentioned in the piece for the Bible. Indeed, Jesus has a bright white halo around his head, which implies his holiness. A brief mention of the miracle of stilling the storm that is narrated in two sentences in Mark’s verses has become a plot for the artistic portrayal. Thus, Monika Liu Ho Peh conveys the significance of the episode through the powerful image of Jesus capable of stopping the wind and the storm. The overall might of Christ is emphasized through the episodic portrayal since the revelation of his power encourages his disciples to strengthen their faith.
The central positioning of Jesus’ figure in the picture is both symbolic and stylistic. It symbolizes the centrality of his figure in the Bible and the Christian religion. At the same time, it is used as a feature of style applied by the artist to enhance the portrayal of a holy image. Through the piece, the artist conveys a message of the strength and might of Jesus as God’s son on earth, his power that makes all obey him. The biblical concept of Jesus’ authority is harmoniously integrated into the imagery of the art piece. Jesus is the power, the central role of whom is highlighted by the relative blurriness of the rest of the depicted elements in the picture. Moreover, the theme of Jesus’ unity with the powers of nature is also vividly represented in Monika Liu Ho Peh’s work. He is portrayed in peace and balance with the clouds, waves, and wind, implying that Jesus is a part of nature and is not opposed to it.
In general, the artistic piece accurately resembles the corresponding passage from the Bible. The non-detailed visual representation of the elements in the picture and the overall sketch-like depiction deprives the piece of a traditionally expected atmosphere of religiousness. However, the strength of the image is that the black-and-white colors help to enhance the centrality of Jesus’ figure and contribute to the content load. Thus, the author masterfully delivers the intended message of Jesus’ authority, might, and unity with nature by means of simple yet meaningful utilization of visual techniques. The image and the passage from the Scripture are valuable theological elements that amplify the reasons for people’s faith in Jesus.