The Conversion Of Saint Paul On The Road To Damascus, Antonio Tempesta (florence 1555 – Rome 1630)
Artist: Antonio Tempesta (florence 1555 - Rome 1630) Cercle De
Antonio Tempesta (Florence 1555 – Rome 1630) Circle
The Conversion of Saint Paul on the Road to Damascus (LINK)
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 on his way to Damascus at the head of a detachment of soldiers to persecute the Christians, was blinded by a supernatural light emanating from a cleft in the sky that threw him to the ground.
From the clouds, the majestic figure of Jesus appeared and addressed the now-fallen soldier, while his companions around him, dazzled by what was happening, fled on their rearing horses. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” are the words Christ addressed to Paul, who, shielding his eyes—blinded by that blaze—with his hand, bowed his head.
The scene depicts the astonishment and fear of the conversion of the soldier Saul—the future Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul—who spreads his arms and reaches toward the light, open to receiving divine grace and enlightenment.
Although this is a religious subject, it cannot be ruled out that it was intended for private devotion rather than for a place of worship: the painting, in fact, has a distinctly “secular” character rather than a devotional one.
This work—for which a pendant is available (link)—is attributed to 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” genre in painting.
His style, which belongs to the late Renaissance or early Baroque period, is characterized by elements such as the dynamism of the composition, the dramatic use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), and the expressiveness of the figures.
He shaped his art within the culture of late Mannerism at the end of the 16th century, a style he acquired during his early training in Florence in the workshop of the Flemish artist Giovanni Stradano, with whom he collaborated on the decorative project at Palazzo Vecchio.
Active primarily in Rome from 1572 onward, he worked for Pope Gregory XIII on the decorations in the Vatican Loggias, and for many of the noblest and most influential families, such as the Farnese, the Borghese, the Giustiniani, and the Rospigliosi-Pallavicini, and was particularly sought after as a painter of historical and biblical battle scenes.
Beginning in 1613, he created, for Grand Duke Cosimo II, a series of engravings of “biblical battles” inspired by Tasso’s *Jerusalem Delivered*—subjects that earned him great acclaim among the Medici family and at the Florentine court, and which served as a source of inspiration for his subsequent paintings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is framed in a beautiful gilded wooden frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We arrange and organize the shipping of purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional, insured carriers. If you would like to view this or other works in person, we would be delighted to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, located at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We look forward to seeing you!
Please contact us for any information; we’ll be happy to assist you.
Follow us on:
https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
The Conversion of Saint Paul on the Road to Damascus (LINK)
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 on his way to Damascus at the head of a detachment of soldiers to persecute the Christians, was blinded by a supernatural light emanating from a cleft in the sky that threw him to the ground.
From the clouds, the majestic figure of Jesus appeared and addressed the now-fallen soldier, while his companions around him, dazzled by what was happening, fled on their rearing horses. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” are the words Christ addressed to Paul, who, shielding his eyes—blinded by that blaze—with his hand, bowed his head.
The scene depicts the astonishment and fear of the conversion of the soldier Saul—the future Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul—who spreads his arms and reaches toward the light, open to receiving divine grace and enlightenment.
Although this is a religious subject, it cannot be ruled out that it was intended for private devotion rather than for a place of worship: the painting, in fact, has a distinctly “secular” character rather than a devotional one.
This work—for which a pendant is available (link)—is attributed to 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” genre in painting.
His style, which belongs to the late Renaissance or early Baroque period, is characterized by elements such as the dynamism of the composition, the dramatic use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), and the expressiveness of the figures.
He shaped his art within the culture of late Mannerism at the end of the 16th century, a style he acquired during his early training in Florence in the workshop of the Flemish artist Giovanni Stradano, with whom he collaborated on the decorative project at Palazzo Vecchio.
Active primarily in Rome from 1572 onward, he worked for Pope Gregory XIII on the decorations in the Vatican Loggias, and for many of the noblest and most influential families, such as the Farnese, the Borghese, the Giustiniani, and the Rospigliosi-Pallavicini, and was particularly sought after as a painter of historical and biblical battle scenes.
Beginning in 1613, he created, for Grand Duke Cosimo II, a series of engravings of “biblical battles” inspired by Tasso’s *Jerusalem Delivered*—subjects that earned him great acclaim among the Medici family and at the Florentine court, and which served as a source of inspiration for his subsequent paintings.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work is framed in a beautiful gilded wooden frame and is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.
We arrange and organize the shipping of purchased works, both within Italy and internationally, using professional, insured carriers. If you would like to view this or other works in person, we would be delighted to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, located at Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We look forward to seeing you!
Please contact us for any information; we’ll be happy to assist you.
Follow us on:
https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it
https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/
6 400 €
Period: 17th century
Style: Renaissance, Louis 13th
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Oil painting
Width: encadré 114 cm.
Height: encadré 125 cm.
Reference (ID): 1811167
Availability: In stock
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