Miraculous Draught of Fishes, from The Passion of Christ, plate 29

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Grégoire Huret captures the biblical miracle known as the Miraculous Draught of Fishes, in which Christ directs his disciples to cast their nets and they haul in an extraordinary catch. Created in 1664 as plate 29 in a series titled *The Passion of Christ*, the work places this event within a larger narrative of Christ’s life and teachings. Though the Passion cycle typically emphasizes the final days before the Crucifixion, Huret’s inclusion of this earlier scene underscores the broader theme of faith and divine provision that runs through Christian storytelling. As an engraving, the print allowed detailed religious imagery to reach wide audiences beyond those who could afford paintings. Huret’s precise linework and careful shading bring depth to the figures of men and fish clustered around Christ, making the miraculous event vivid and accessible on the printed page. Such reproductive prints played an important role in 17th-century devotional practice, helping viewers meditate on scripture in their homes or local churches. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1953, this sheet preserves both artistic craftsmanship and the enduring cultural resonance of biblical narrative in European printmaking.

About the Artist

Grégoire Huret · 1606–1670

French draftsman and printmaker. Comment on works: Engraver & draftsman