Explore the abstract of this artwork, The Prophet Jonah (Stavrakis).
The Prophet Jonah was a tempera painting created by Demetrios Stavrakis.  He was a Greek painter representing the Heptanese School.  His nickname was Romanos.  He was active during the 18th century.  He flourished on the island of Zakynthos.  He was the nephew of Stylianos Stavrakis and Andreas Stavrakis. Both were famous painters.  He thrived during the Greek Rococo and Neoclassical eras in Greek art.  Fifteen of his works survived.According to the Book of Jonah the Prophet, during his lifetime Jonah was commanded by God to travel to the city Nineveh to condemn their wickedness.  He decided to flee from the presence of the lord and he set sail for Tarshish, a huge storm arose.  The sailors realized that it was no ordinary storm and that Jonah was to blame.  Jonah admitted that he was to blame and that if he was thrown overboard, the storm will cease.  After being cast from the ship, Jonah was swallowed by a whale.  He resided in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights.  Completely distraught he prayed to God and promised to do what he was asked. God commanded the whale to vomit Jonah.  The story inspired countless paintings about Jonah and the whale.Notable versions of Jonah and the whale were completed by famous artists from all over the world namely Pieter Lastman, Jacopo Tintoretto, and Michelangelo.  Jan Sadeler I was a Flemish Renaissance engraver. His career began in Antwerp and he eventually migrated to Venice with his brother and son. He died in Venice around 1600. His engravings influenced countless Greek painters namely Theodore Poulakis, Georgios Markazinis and Konstantinos Tzanes.  Stavrakis also used one of his engravings for The Prophet Jonah.  The painting is part of the collection of the Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos.
Heptanese School Konstantinos Tzanes Jan Sadeler I Andreas Stavrakis Jacopo Tintoretto God Stavrakis Lastman Michelangelo Greek Rococo Tintoretto Tarshish Georgios Markazinis Sadeler Theodore Poulakis Jonah Stylianos Stavrakis Nineveh Zakynthos Pieter Lastman Demetrios Stavrakis Book of Jonah