Circle of Antonio Tempesta, Conversion of St. Paul, 1650, Oil on Canvas

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Description

Antonio tempesta (florence 1555 - rome 1630) circle

the conversion of saint paul on the road to damascus

oil on … Read more Antonio tempesta (florence 1555 - rome 1630) circle

the conversion of saint paul on the road to damascus

oil on canvas (112 x 102 cm - framed 125 x 114 cm)

the scene depicts the episode from the acts of the apostles in which the young roman tax collector saul, while leading soldiers to damascus to persecute the christians, was blinded by a supernatural light from a rift in the sky, knocking him to the ground.

the majestic figure of jesus appeared from the clouds and addressed the now unhorsed soldier, while his companions, dazzled by what was happening, fled on their stampeding horses. "saul, saul, why do you persecute me?" these are the words christ addressed to paul, who, covering his eyes blinded by that glare with his hand, bows his head.

the episode depicts the amazement and fear of the conversion of the soldier saul, the future apostle paul to the gentiles, who spreads his arms and extends them toward the light, open to welcome divine grace and enlightenment.

although this is a religious subject, it cannot be ruled out that it was intended for private devotion rather than a place of worship: the painting, in fact, has a distinctly "profane" rather than devotional character.

this work—of which a pendant is available—is thought to have been created in the workshop or circle of antonio tempesta (florence 1555 - rome 1630), a leading artist of fundamental importance to the 17th-century development of the "battle" painting genre.

his style, which can be placed in the late renaissance or early baroque period, is characterized by elements such as dynamic composition, dramatic use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), and expressive figures.

he shaped his art in the culture of late-16th-century mannerism, acquired from his early training in florence in the workshop of the flemish artist giovanni stradano, with whom he collaborated on the decorative project of the palazzo vecchio.

active primarily in rome from 1572, he worked for pope gregory xiii on the decorations of the vatican loggias, and for many of the most noble and influential families, such as the farnese, borghese, giustiniani, and rospigliosi-pallavicini, and was especially in demand as an artist of historical and biblical battle scenes.

beginning in 1613, he created a series of engravings of "biblical battles" for grand duke cosimo ii, inspired by tasso's "jerusalem delivered." these subjects earned him great success at the medici family and the florentine court, and served as a source of inspiration for his later paintings.

additional information:

the work is presented in a beautiful gilded wooden frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and an iconographic. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less