There is a certain irony of fate in this: Polenov is a generally recognized genius of landscape painting, he himself considered the most important paintings in his work, paintings on religious themes. One of such works is “On the Lake of Tiberias”.
The painter loved the gospel narration very much, considered the plots to be naive, pure, human with a high moral ethics. In his works, Polenov followed the words of Christ, who called himself the Son of Man and the painter portrayed him like this. One of the most significant works in which he portrays Christ is the presented picture. The spectator sees as along the shore, completely covered with stones and boulders, the Savior wanders slowly and calmly.
The whole emotional side of the picture is built entirely on the landscape. An almost serene watery surface, slightly rippled by a rippling, cloudless sky, reproduced in a delightful blue and turquoise palette, gives the picture peace and inner clarity. Even the gentle slopes of the mountains seem to reinforce this atmosphere. So harmoniously, among all this unsurpassed virgin beauty, man is inscribed.
Despite the idyll embodied in the picture, it is by no means devoid of internal dynamics and pace. Only this tempo is very slow and sizeable. The author depicted a piece of the world where God still lives, where his feet touch the earth, where his unhurried steps bring enlightenment and peace.
Having presented this picture for the first time along with other works on religious subjects, Polenov immediately became the center of attention. Deep philosophical thoughts, simplicity, accessibility, cordiality, which the painter laid in his paintings, could not become unnoticed by the public. It was a completely new vision and reading of Christian stories. Professional demanding critics and ordinary public responded to the pictures in the most enthusiastic words.
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