An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Jonah Swallowed280–90 CE
After disobeying the Lord’s command to proclaim judgment on the city of Nineveh, the Old Testament prophet Jonah was cast into the sea and swallowed by a sea monster. Here, the beast swallows Jonah headfirst.
Although usually thought of as a whale, here the artist has depicted Jonah swallowed by a cetus, a large, monstrous sea creature.
marble
Overall: 50.4 x 15.5 x 26.9 cm (19 13/16 x 6 1/8 x 10 9/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the depths of a turbulent sea, where the waves crashed like thunder against the rocky shores, a story unfolded that echoed through time. The air was heavy with salt and trepidation, as Jonah, a prophet of the Lord, found himself at a crossroads. He had disobeyed a divine command, one that called him to deliver a dire warning to the great city of Nineveh. Anxiety gnawed at him, and his heart raced as he fled instead, attempting to escape the weight of his own destiny.
As he boarded a ship, the night sky draped itself in darkness, cloaking his fears. The crew, unaware of the turmoil brewing within him, sailed bravely into the night. Suddenly, the ocean roared in fury, and a tempest emerged, thrashing the vessel like a toy in a child’s turbulent hands. It was in that moment, amidst the chaos, that Jonah knew he could no longer hide.
The sailors, recognizing the wrath of the sea, cast lots to seek the cause of their peril. With a heavy heart, Jonah confessed, “It is I who am responsible for this storm.” The storm raged on, echoing his dread, and the only resolution lay in surrender.
With solemn reluctance, they cast Jonah into the churning abyss. The sea swallowed him up, a gaping mouth of uncertainty that plunged him into the cold depths below. And there, in the eerie silence of the ocean's embrace, a monstrous creature arose. A sea monster, ancient and unfathomable, lurked in the depths and, with an undeniable hunger, engulfed Jonah headfirst.
Inside the creature's dark belly, Jonah found himself surrounded by the echoes of his own choices. The confinement was not just physical; it explored the depths of his soul. It was a transformative moment shrouded in anguish and contemplation, where he wrestled with his past and contemplated his purpose. Through the darkness, the seeds of understanding began to germinate, awaiting the moment when hope might bloom anew.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
The best place to view Cleveland Museum of Art‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.