The Conversion of Saint Paul
Maker
(Artists)
1577-1640
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)
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.
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
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
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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