To celebrate three incredible years of FRAMELESS, we invited the public to help crown our very first Visitors’ Choice Masterpiece.
First, our social media followers helped narrow down 42 immersive artworks from across our Galleries to a shortlist of six extraordinary pieces. Then, over a two-week period, visitors to the FRAMELESS Galleries voted in person for their favourite.
The Six Shortlisted Masterpieces
The shortlisted artworks represented two of our most loved Galleries. Four came from The World Around Us Gallery, which explores nature, landscapes and cityscapes through breathtaking immersive art. Two were chosen from Beyond Reality, a Gallery that transports visitors into surreal, dreamlike worlds.
Two of the finalists were by one of art’s most beloved figures, Vincent Van Gogh.
The finalists were:
- The Garden of Earthly Delights Triptych by Hieronymus Bosch
- The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai
- The Dawn of Venus by Thomas Lowinsky
- Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt
- Almond Blossom by Vincent van Gogh
- The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
And the Winner Is…
After the votes were counted, our visitors’ favourite masterpiece was revealed: Rembrand’s Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee.
Painted in 1633, when Rembrandt was just 27 years old, this dramatic scene captures pure chaos, with wind, waves, fear, and faith all crashing together in one unforgettable moment. It depicts Jesus and his disciples caught in a violent storm, their boat tossed by the sea. While panic spreads among the crew, Jesus remains calm at the centre of it all.
The painting carries an additional layer of mystery. It was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990 and has never been recovered, making it one of the most famous lost artworks in the world. Today, it stands as both a symbol of faith and a reminder of the enduring power of art to move us, even when the original is gone.
About Rembrandt
Rembrandt van Rijn was a 17th-century Dutch master and one of the greatest artists in Western art history. Known for his mastery of light and emotion, Rembrandt’s work reveals the raw truth of human experience.
Despite early fame, Rembrandt endured deep personal loss and financial hardship, losing his wife and children, falling into debt, and ultimately dying in poverty. Yet he continued to paint with remarkable honesty and depth, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates centuries later.
Themes in Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee
Visitors often find themselves reflecting on universal human themes within this piece:
- Chaos and survival: How do we stay afloat when life feels out of control?
- Faith: Finding strength in something greater than ourselves
- Fear vs calm: What do we do when the storm hits? Who do we become?
- Inner storms: The emotional, mental, or social battles we face every day
- Hope: A reminder that even in the worst storm, light is never far away
What Do You Think?
Do you agree with our Visitors’ Choice, or would you have chosen a different masterpiece? Join the conversation on social media @framelessldn.
Thank you to everyone who voted, and stay tuned for the 2026 Visitors’ Choice Award for your next chance to help decide the winning masterpiece.