I can’t think of a better artistic representation of the Christ’s Church on Earth. The storm-tossed vessel with some tending to the oars and sails in perilous sea of the world and others huddled calmly around Our Lord. One thinks the Apostle at the rudder is Peter taking counsel from Jesus. So it is in our time.
While I agree that this painting is an excellent representation of the Church in our times, I would disagree a little with your interpretation. Those you say are “tending the oars and sails” do not seem to be helping the effort to keep the boat afloat at all. They look more like they are hanging on for dear life, not knowing what to do other than try to save their own skins. Meanwhile those who stay close to Christ in the most tempestuous of times are confident, calm and safe. It’s pretty clear to me who will survive this storm, and who will be lost.
Then again…all art is subjective.
Just an interesting note about this picture. It also appears on the cover of a book entitled — “Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk” which is a history of the concepts of praobability and risk assessment. Not sure what this duplication of cover art means, but an interesting coincidence.