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The Conversion of Saul
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The painting shows the moment when Saul falls from his horse as Jesus appears to him. Chaos reigns all around. Rubens deftly captures the drama with his powerful brushstrokes and strong contrasts of light and shadow.
According to the Bible, St Paul – originally known as Saul – was a highly placed Roman who took an active part in the persecution of Jesus’s disciples. Travelling on the road to Damascus, he was suddenly blinded by a dazzling light on the horizon. Saul fell from his horse and heard Jesus speak to him from heaven. His blindness persisted for three days, until he was miraculously healed, at which point he became an active believer in Christ.
Long-term loan, private collection, Antwerp
Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) and studio
The Conversion of Saul
oil on canvas