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Unknown artist

The Conversion of Saint Paul

n.d.
Engraving on paper
12.4 × 8.2 cm (4.9 × 3.2 in)

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

The extraterrestrial quality of the apparition in the sky is this engraving’s most unusual aspect. This flying, saucerlike disk presumably bears the resurrected Christ’s appearance to Paul. Paul cowers with his hand up in the air to block out the blinding light, an expression of fright on his face. In this vision, Christ says to Paul, a notorious killer of Christians, “By persecuting my church you make it flourish, and only prick and hurt yourself.” Paul sees the light and may be depicted a second time at the back of the scene, preaching with his sword in hand.

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