French School Around 1610 - Conversion Of Saint Paul

Among the French Mannerist artists of the 17th century, it is striking to see just how much the memory of a small number has remained to us. These Varin, Dubreuil, Dubois or others are known by a body of works restricted if we consider their place on the artistic scene of the time. It is easy to understand how difficult it may be, in such a context, to attribute certain compositions of this period which reappear in the day; and yet, even anonymous, their scarcity is enough to give them real importance.
For our painting the chosen subject is the conversion of St. Paul.
The intensity of colors with Mannerist accents combined with the torsions of the figures strikes the viewer and generates an image of great vivacity. Not very naturalistic and of a certain candor, this delicate representation is a beautiful illustration of the taste that still presides at the beginning of the 17th century.
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