Adventures in Art History Art Adventures    

Lesson 28: The Disciples See Christ Walking on the Water

by Henry Ossawa Tanner

Directions

Study the painting for one week.

Over the week:

• Look at the painting.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Read about the artist.
• Practice reciting the names of the artist and the painting.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

In 'The Disciples See Christ Walking on the Water,' Tanner depicts a story from the New Testament of the Bible. The story tells of the miracle of Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee in front of his devout followers, the disciples. The disciples were afraid at first, thinking Jesus a spirit, but Jesus told them not to be afraid. Jesus joined his disciples in the boat, and they continued their journey to the shore.

Vocabulary

Disciple: A follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.
Bible: A copy of the Christian or Jewish scriptures.
New Testament: The second part of the Christian Bible, recording the life and teachings of Jesus and his earliest followers.
Devout: Having deep religious feeling or commitment.

Concepts

Henry Ossawa Tanner painted 'The Disciples see Christ Walking on the Water.'

1. Henry Ossawa Tanner was born in 1859 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. See his picture below.

2. Find Tanner's state of birth (PA) on the map of the continental United States below.

3. His father was a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His mother was born a slave, but escaped through the Underground Railroad to the North.
4. He studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he was the only black student. As a painter, Tanner was considered a realist, painting things as they are collectively perceived.
5. Tanner suffered mental anguish from the racism he experienced in America, which he described in his autobiography. Consequently, he left America for Paris, France, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Find France on the map of Europe below.

6. He died in 1937 in Paris, France at the age of 77.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

During the week, study the painting and find the following:

• Jesus
• Disciples
• Boat
• Mast
• Sea
• Reflection of Boat
• Reflection of Moon

Activity 2: Narrate the Painting

• After studying the painting, narrate the scene shown in the painting aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the vocabulary words, point them out in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Map the Painting

• The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Tiberias, is a freshwater lake located in Israel.
• Find Lake Tiberias on the map below.

Activity 5: Color the Painting   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 36 of 'Kindergarten Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the painting?

1 / 4

Answer 1

Jesus Christ and his disciples.

1 / 4

Question 2

What is the setting of the painting?

2 / 4

Answer 2

On the Sea of Galilee.

2 / 4

Question 3

What is Jesus doing?

3 / 4

Answer 3

Walking on the sea.

3 / 4

Question 4

What are the shepherds doing?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Crossing the sea in the boat.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the painting? Jesus Christ and his disciples.
2. What is the setting of the painting? On the Sea of Galilee.
3. What is Jesus doing? Walking on the sea.
4. What are the shepherds doing? Crossing the sea in the boat.

References

'Henry Ossawa Tanner.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.