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The Conversion of Saint Paul

Maker

(Artists)
1577-1640

Title

The Conversion of Saint Paul

Date of Production

c. 1610-12

Medium

oil on panel

Dimensions

Height: 95.2 cm (panel)
Width: 120.7 cm (panel)

Accession Number

P.1978.PG.357

Mode of Acquisition

Count Antoine Seilern, bequest, 1978

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

Not currently on display

Keywords









Label Text

In a scene set at night to heighten its impact, Christ appears in a blinding light to Paul who is heading from Jerusalem to Damascus to arrest followers of Christ. Paul falls from his horse while his companions scatter. Once a persecutor of Christians, Paul is instantly converted and becomes himself a disciple of Christ.

Peter Paul Rubens exploits the full effect of this dramatic scene as panic strikes the horses and riders. The use of strong lighting and a compressed composition are typical of his work shortly after his return to Antwerp from Italy in 1608.

Provenance

(?) Prince of Orange, Het Loo, sale; Johann Wilhelm von der Pfalz, Dusseldorf; transferred to Munich 1806; Alte Pinakothek, Munich (transferred to Speyer Gallery by 1927); disposed of in exchange by Altepinakothek, 1938; acquired by Count Antoine Seilern, Paris 1938; Princes Gate Bequest 1978

Exhibition History

Part of general displays, National Gallery & London & England, 20/01/2006-27/04/2006

Rubens - A Master in the Making, National Gallery, London, 26/10/2005-15/01/2006

Peter Paul Rubens - A Touch of Brilliance, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 20/09/2003-08/02/2004 ...More

National Gallery (to be displayed with permanent collection), National Gallery, London, 01/09/1997-01/06/1998 ...Less

Literature

Rubens - A Master in the Making, National Gallery, London, 2005-2006
cat. no. 70
no. 70 on pp. 152-54
Fig. p. p. 154

Peter Paul Rubens - A Touch of Brilliance, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2003-2004
cat. no. 13
Fig. p. pl. 13

Jaffé, Michael, Rubens and Italy, Oxford 1977
pp. 14, 53
Fig. p. pl. 160

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