Arcadópolis
The Conversion of Saint Paul (Odescalchi version)
Caravaggio, 1600–1601
What you see
At the bottom, Paul lies on his back on a red cloak, covering his eyes with his hands. Behind him, an old white-bearded soldier with a plumed helmet and shield aims his spear upward, and a grayish-white horse rears. From the upper right, Christ, held up by an angel, leans down with arms outstretched. Everything piles up along a diagonal.
Most of the scene is in half-light; the light touches Paul’s torso and Christ’s hands. To the right, a distant landscape opens under a pale sky, framed by a branch of dark leaves. Don’t miss the plumed helmet lying on the ground at lower left, and for the horse’s frightened eye.
About Caravaggio
Michelangelo Merisi, called Caravaggio after his family’s home town, painted scenes as if they were happening on a dark stage lit by a spotlight. He used ordinary people from the street as models, which was very daring at the time. His use of light and shadow inspired painters all over Europe.
More by Caravaggio
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