Jonah and the Whale, 1937
John B. Flannaganexpand_more
Cast bronze on wood baseexpand_more
The Martha T. Wallace Fundexpand_more 54.20a,b
Not on Viewexpand_more
Flannagan's bronze sculpture represents the Old Testament parable of the prophet Jonah, who, having disobeyed God, was cast overboard by his fellow fishermen during a violent storm at sea, swallowed by a whale (fish), and disgorged unharmed three days later after praying for redemption. For Flannagan, the theme of Jonah and the whale embodied more than merely a didactic religious allegory, but a culmination of a lifelong exploration of the universal mysteries of life, death, and rebirth, a motif common among his mature works. Here, in an unconventional and highly personal interpretation, he depicts Jonah within the belly of the whale, enclosed as if in a womb, awaiting rebirth to the world of the living.
Details
- Title
- Jonah and the Whale
- Artist Life
- 1895 - 1942
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 54.20a,b
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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