The Conversion of Paul
1567 | Pieter Bruegel d. Ä.
According to the biblical story, Saul, on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus, hears the voice of Jesus, is dazzled by a ray of light and plunges from his horse. At this moment the fanatical persecutor of Christians turns into the Apostle Paul. As often is the case with Bruegel, the main scene is small, embedded, almost hidden within a large scene. An army is in the process of losing its way, the mountain is impassable. A political interpretation of this incident (an allusion to the 1567 Alpine crossing of the Spanish Duke Alba) is generally not accepted.
According to the biblical story, Saul, on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus, hears the voice of Jesus, is dazzled by a ray of light and plunges from his horse. At this moment the fanatical persecutor of Christians turns into the Apostle Paul. As often is the case with Bruegel, the main scene is small, embedded, almost hidden within a large scene. An army is in the process of losing its way, the mountain is impassable. A political interpretation of this incident (an allusion to the 1567 Alpine crossing of the Spanish Duke Alba) is generally not accepted.
Artist:
Pieter Bruegel d. Ä. (um 1525/30 Breugel oder Antwerpen? - 1569 Brüssel) DNB
Time:
1567
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Netherlandish
Material/technology:
oak wood
Dimensions:
Overall: 108,3 cm × 156,3 cm × 3,2 cm
Framed: 131 cm × 179 cm × 5,5 cm
Signed
Inscribed on the lower right side of the rock: BRVEGEL. M.D.LXVII
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 3690
Provenance
1594 acquired by Archduke Ernst in Brussels; Rudolf II; 1876 from Prague to Vienna