Christ Walking on Water

B. J. O. Nordfeldt, Christ Walking on Water, 1951, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Arvin Gottlieb, 1991.205.14
B. J. O. Nordfeldt, Christ Walking on Water, 1951, oil on canvas, 3847 in. (96.5119.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Arvin Gottlieb, 1991.205.14

Artwork Details

Title
Christ Walking on Water
Date
1951
Dimensions
3847 in. (96.5119.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Arvin Gottlieb
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — bird — dove
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
  • Animal — fish
  • Waterscape
Object Number
1991.205.14

Artwork Description

Bror Julius Olsson Nordfeldt objected when his dealer first suggested painting religious imagery. He exclaimed to a friend: "Religious paintings!!! God knows what was in their minds. I explained that I was entirely irreligious and couldn't do it." But he later created several images based on biblical stories because he enjoyed combining religious symbols with semiabstract compositions (Hunter, B. J. O. Nordfeldt: An American Expressionist, 1984). Here, the brightly colored shapes and zigzagging waves create an eye-catching pattern, so that we do not immediately notice the figure in the center. This suggests the artist was equally concerned with the relationships between different shapes as he was with the story behind the painting. In the Bible, Jesus walked on water to demonstrate the power of faith to his disciples. Nordfeldt emphasized this message with Christian symbols such as the doves, which represent the Holy Spirit, and the fish, which are a reminder of Jesus's miracles.

Works by this artist (81 items)

East Baltimore Documentary Survey Project
Dateca. 1975
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Linda Rich, Murty, Ananta, and Santhi Hejeebu, 1979, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1163, © 1975, George Jadowski
Murty, Ananta, and Santhi Hejeebu
Date1979
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Linda Rich, View of East Baltimore Looking North, 1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1165, © 1975, George Jadowski
View of East Baltimore Looking North
Date1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Linda Rich, Summer Afternoon, East Baltimore Street, 1977-1980, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Endowment for the Arts, 1983.63.1164, © 1975, George Jadowski
Summer Afternoon, East Baltimore Street
Date1977-1980
gelatin silver print
Not on view

Audio

Stop 108: Christ Walking on Water

Christ Walking on Water
1951, oil on canvas

B. J. O. NORDFELDT
Born: Tullstorp, Sweden 1878– Died: Henderson, Texas 1955

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