St. Paul's Conversion, by Caravaggio

by Isabella Childs January 06, 2021

Saul stunned by heaven

    This is a depiction of Saint Paul’s conversion, by the Baroque master, Caravaggio.

    The painting is mostly dark, with various shades of brown.

    Paul lies in the foreground of the painting. He is mostly naked, wearing only part of a Roman soldier’s apparel around his waist and a strap across his abdomen. A red cloak is beneath him and a bronze helmet lies on the ground near his right side. Paul has white skin and a long brown beard. His face is turned upwards, but he covers it completely with both hands.

    Paul’s face is turned towards two figures looking down at him from the air in the upper right corner of the painting. These two figures consist of an angel and a man. The man has dark hair and a beard. He wears a light purple robe. The man reaches down to Paul with both of his arms. The angel is depicted as a young boy. Only the angel’s head and right arm are visible. The angel has his arm wrapped across the man’s chest.

    A soldier with white hair and a frown on his face stands behind Paul on the left side of the painting. This soldier looks to his left at the man and the angel in the air, holding up a round green shield with his left arm, as if to defend Paul from the two. The soldier holds a spear with his right hand. The spear is planted on the ground at the soldier’s right side and slants upwards and to the soldier’s left side towards the heavenly figures.

    A white horse stands behind the soldier, with its body turned away from the soldier and its head turned towards the heavenly figures on the right side of the painting.

    Download this quality, restored image here.




Isabella Childs
Isabella Childs

Author


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Catholic Art Blog

Guido Reni: Expressing Devotion Through Baroque Masterpieces
Guido Reni: Expressing Devotion Through Baroque Masterpieces

by Joe Thomas October 09, 2023

Renowned Italian painter Guido Reni was born in 1575 in Bologna, Italy. Under the tutelage of the Carracci family, he developed his artistic skills and a deep appreciation for classical and Renaissance art.

Continue Reading

Zurbarán's St. Luke before the Crucifix: A Profound Spiritual Encounter
Zurbarán's St. Luke before the Crucifix: A Profound Spiritual Encounter

by Joe Thomas October 09, 2023

"St. Luke before the Crucifix" by Francisco de Zurbarán transcends its status as a mere painting; it is a spiritual odyssey captured on canvas. Zurbarán's mastery of chiaroscuro, coupled with his ability to infuse spirituality into his art, elevates this artwork to the rank of a Baroque masterpiece. It serves as a timeless reminder of art's power to connect us with the divine, inspiring deep contemplation and introspection.

Continue Reading

Exploring the Profound Emotions in
Exploring the Profound Emotions in "St. Peter Grieving" by Carl Heinrich Bloch

by Joe Thomas October 09, 2023

"St. Peter Grieving" is a testament to Bloch's ability to convey emotions through art. The overwhelming sorrow and regret depicted in St. Peter's face resonate with viewers on a profound level. Bloch's portrayal reminds us of the universal human experience of making mistakes, facing the consequences, and grappling with remorse.

Continue Reading