John F Kennedy (CV 67) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 26 text:

.v P . ,iw 5 --1m R9lTlbl'Gfldf pdinfing lives OD G5 mUfGf on JFK Arnold Houbraken's biography of Rembrandt, published in 1718, called the painting St. Peter's Boat. Over the years the painting became known as Rembrandt's Christ Calming the Sea of Galilee. According to Houbraken, the original painting was kept for years by Alderman and Burgomaster J an Jokobzen Hinloopen at his home in Amsterdam. The painting eventually found a home at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, but in March 1990 it was stolen along with another priceless Rembrandt. Fortunately, the beauty of the painting has not been lost forever. A beautiful reproduction of Christ Calming the Sea can be found on an uncluttered bulkhead in the Auxiliary Machinery Room CAMRJ aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY. Interviews with past KENNEDY shipmates revealed that Rembrandt's original painting had captured the attention, and inspired the creativity, of a young second class machinist mate during KENNEDY's first years at sea. The petty officer, whose love for working with paint was stronger than his love for lubricating oil and gear boxes, spent many hours of free time applying his artistic talents to one of the cold steel bulkheads in the AMR. Interestingly, Rembrandt was about 27 years old when he painted the original, roughly the same age as the artist who painted the reproduction on KENNEDY. Fortunately, KENNEDY's Chief Engineering Officer at the time recognized the young man's talent, and also enjoyed artwork, so the mural was allowed to stay. The machinist mate eventually left the service, reportedly to try his hand at commercial art in New York City. None can remember the young man's name, but the beauty of his handiwork remains as his legacy. Over the past twenty years, sailors from KENNEDY' s Engineer-ing Department have jealously guarded the mural, protecting it from damage and carefully touching up any chipped areas when necessary. During extended shipyard periods, the mural is carefully protected with blankets and wood framing to keep it from being damaged. KENNEDY's mural has been admired by many distinguished visitors, most notably the ship's sponsor, Caroline Kennedy. who has asked to see it upon every visit to the ship. Christ Calming the Seas in AMR - part of the KENNEDY magic. 21

Page 25 text:

4 W fn 1 1 .. 'M Up 8 Q4 fAa1i,,iA.ma-it V' . :hw , A A ,Q M 0 1' P ff:- -ik 'M niggas j lt I gm-hmmm-Q !+A,g f-g- - ! 1 P X , b.f l4,J.. 'JI . If! i -,Q f 4- 1 . Y , 1 I--. I 2 il - Ii 2: a v ' ' 1 Q Q

Page 27 text:

in I si! .ai -1-in W , 1 3 f , U 1 go :Lf XX AWGN R Q.. WX 2 1X xi- Qtdvw x . Q xx ,kgs .QQ x- '- sa 'X,'Qw m MX' ,x x , X x 'GS at QQ X I ,,:-,swf is Q.. .Z 'fu 4.125 f 4' . ' . , - - ' 1.- AJ.,:Q-5.-.r j- 3 iris .au-6- EH 1 'FQ' A f . . F F w N -il S A nl., 1 J Q tr - 1- 1 n f ' 21 -in y . v , f 'x . 4 I 3- lx L YV I' . -,- fs x, ,, x , , of ga' f . A 6 F I' .fun ' '