The Miracle of the Loaves and Fish

This painting illustrates one of Christ’s miracles as described in the Four Gospels. Accompanied by his disciples, Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd who had come to hear him speak, but there were only five loaves of bread and two fish to feed those gathered there. Jesus took them and distributed them among those who were seated. Miraculously, all were able to satisfy their hunger and there was even enough left over to fill twelve baskets.

To this day, the decor of the refectory remains the most ambitious and best documented of Louis Cretey's works. All the characteristics of his style are combined here: scattered compositions for the multiplication of the loaves, strange faces, “faceted” drapery, the dramatization of the two principal scenes using chiaroscuro, large dark and empty areas, the play between bright colors in the scenes on the ceiling, etc.