Conversion of saint paul caravaggio
Conversion of saint paul caravaggio
“Conversion of St Paul” by Caravaggio – An Analysis.
Conversion on the way to Damascus (1601)
The scene is stripped of all distractions - with only a horse, groom and the fallen Paul present - and Caravaggio creates a mysteriously darkened background in order to focus attention on Paul's moment of religious ecstasy.
The principal actor lies in a dramatic pose in the foreground of the picture (he actually intrudes into the viewer's space), with his arms outstretched in shock.
He has just seen a vision of Christ and has been blinded by a celestial light. The divine nature of his experience is evidenced by Saint Paul's closed eyes, stiff arms and his continued illumination from heaven.
Meantime, Paul's sword and cloak are tangible reminders of his former identity as Saul the persecutor of Christians.
The cloak echoes the swaddling clothes of the baby Jesus, and - along with the horse and Paul's helpless condition - confirms that we are witnessing a spiritual rebirth.
Curiously, neither the groom nor horse seem to notice Paul's spir