The Conversion of St. Paul

One art historian describes the style of Conversion as "an odd blend of Raphael and clumsy rustic realism," but notes how the composition, with its jagged shapes and irrational light which picks out details for their dramatic impact, creates "a sense of crisis and dislocation in which Christ disrupts the mundane world." 

This is one of two paintings by Caraggaio on the same subjet=ct, the conversion of Paul.

The painting records the moment when Saul of Tarsus, on his way to Damascus to annihilate the Christian community there, is struck blind by a brilliant light and hears the voice of Christ saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?...And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid, but they heard not the voice..." (Acts 22:6-11). Elsewhere Paul claims to have seen Christ during a vision, and it is on this basis that he grounds his claim be recognized as an Apostle: "Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?"                   (I Corinthians 9:1).

This oil on cypress wood painting measures 237 cm × 189 cm (93 in × 74 in) and is housed in the  
Odescalchi Balbi Collection, Rome, Italy.