Conversion on the Way to Damascus
c. 1601 Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome
About this artwork
This oil painting depicts the dramatic moment of Saint Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. It was commissioned for the Cerasi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome, where it hangs opposite another Caravaggio masterpiece, "The Crucifixion of Saint Peter."
Did you know?
Caravaggio's "The Conversion of Saint Paul" is renowned for its revolutionary realism and dramatic use of chiaroscuro, a technique that employs stark contrasts of light and shadow to create a theatrical effect. The painting's focus on the humble details, such as the horse's prominent backside, was initially controversial but eventually became a hallmark of the Baroque style, bringing an intense immediacy to sacred narratives.
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Conversion on the Way to Damascus
Michelangelo da Caravaggio, c. 1601
