The Tribute Money. Peter Finding the Silver Coin in the Mouth of the Fish. Also called "The Ferry Boat to Antwerp"

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Artist: Jacob Jordaens (Flemish, 1593–1678)
Size: 282 × 471 cm
Museum: SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
Rights: Public Domain Mark

Peasants, merchants, crying children – figures at different stages of life are assembled in a confined space, creating a unique and dynamic composition. Strategically placed figures – like the half-naked sailor in the centre with his back turned towards us – lead us into the painting. The women carrying the baby on the left side and the other sailor, who pushes the boat off, seem to look out of the painting and directly at us.

The individual characters are depicted with remarkable humour and empathy, from the contemplative farmer bending over his cow to the weeping child who has just lost his apple in the flowing river. Occupied with themselves, the passengers are unaware of the biblical scene on the mainland to their right. In accordance with the prophecy of Jesus, his disciple Peter discovered a sum of money within the mouth of a fish. This would serve as the temple tribute money, which lends the painting its contemporary title (50 Favorites in the SMK Collection).