Benjamin Cuyp (1612 - 1652), The Conversion Of Saint Paul

Benjamin Gerritsz. Cuyp
Dutch painter
Dordrecht 1612 – 1652 Dordrecht
The conversion of Saul on his way to Damascus
Oil on panel : 86,3 X 104,6 cm
Unsigned
Frame : 105,8 X 125,0 cm

Our painting is registered at the RKD, The Hague under the number 0000140231.

On his way to Damascus, Saul, a cruel persecutor of Early Christians, had a vision: a divine light blew him from his horse and turned him blind, while he was able to converse with God. Saul converted to Christianity, and became one its most important early leaders: he is known as Saint Paul or Paul the Apostle. Although he never met Jesus he is called the thirteenth Apostle.

Benjamin Cuyp, who belonged to an important family of 17^th century painters from Dordrecht, was strongly influenced by Rembrandt. He died already before turning 40.
Cuyp’s austere approach of our subject is rather unique: Saul and his military escort are painted against an ochre background, as if amidst a desert storm, where you see no houses, trees or landscape; this enhances our emotional experience of what happened to them.

All my paintings stand fully documented on my website:
https://www.jeanmoust.com/categories/biblical-mythological-and-allegorical-scenes/cuyp-benjamin-2021/the-conversion-of-saul-on-his -way-to-damascus-2411698