The Raphael Cartoons: The Miraculous Draught of Fishes

The Raphael Cartoons are considered one of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance. These huge, full-scale designs for tapestries were created by Raphael – one of the most important masters of the Renaissance period. Commissioned by Pope Leo X, shortly after his election in 1513, for the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Palace, the Cartoons depict key episodes of the lives of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the founding fathers of the Christian church.

The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (Luke 5: 1 – 11)

This Cartoon depicts one of the founding moments of Christianity – when the Jewish fisherman Simon, later renamed Peter, is called to be an apostle (or disciple) of Jesus Christ.

Simon, wearing a blue tunic, is kneeling before Christ. He has been fishing unsuccessfully on the Lake of Gennesaret in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus tells him to cast his nets into deep water, which produces such a large catch that the boat overflows with fish. Simon exclaims that he is unworthy of such a miracle. Jesus raises his hand in blessing and replies, "Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men", announcing the role that Simon would now have in helping to spread the Christian faith.

The corresponding tapestry was displayed in the Sistine Chapel on St Stephen day, 26 December, 1519. It is probable that Raphael saw it and even supervised its installation in the chapel.

Zoom in and explore the Cartoon in ultra-high definition

Click on points of interest to discover more about the painting's characters, symbolism and Raphael's masterly technique.


You can also explore ultra-high resolution colour, 3D and infrared photography of the Cartoon, revealing previously hidden details.

  • Colour (visible paint layer) – Explore the Cartoon's paint layer, including Raphael's individual brushstrokes.
  • 3D (surface layer) – Discover evidence of the Cartoon's treatment over the past 500 years, including any restoration work, by exploring its unique surface texture.
  • Infrared (drawing layer) – Peer below the paint surface to Raphael's original charcoal underdrawings.

Select your layer from the key or use the scroll bar to transition between the layers and observe subtle differences between the charcoal underdrawing and the paint layer, and the paint layer and the surface texture.

Raphael Cartoon, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (Luke 5: 1 – 11), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.2. Photo: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust / His Majesty Charles III, 2021

EXPLORE THE CARTOONS

Header image:

Raphael Cartoon, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (Luke 5: 1 – 11), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.2. Photo: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust / His Majesty Charles III, 2021