Description:
religion - Christian; man
Label Text:
This painting, by the American ex-patriot historical painter Benjamin West, is one of two preliminary designs for a painted window in St. Paul's Church, Birmingham, England. The Biblical subject was particularly appropriate for this church. The burst of divine light that temporarily blinded Paul in his transforming moment was an ideal topic for the window that was created from West's designs by the glass painter Francis Eginton.
Paul (called Saul before his conversion) was a Roman soldier in the first century known for his persecution of Christians, as he is shown in the left panel where he gestures toward a young woman whose hands are bound. The central panel shows the moment of transformation, as Saul is blocked in the road do Damascus and challenged by a voice that says "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" In the right panel he is baptized by Ananias and his sight is restored. Theatrical lighting, dramatic figures, and turbulent drapery, typical of West's style, enhance the drama.
The two small panels of putti were probably painted by another hand. A second more finished study is owned by the Dallas Museum of Art.
Other label: This work depicts several episodes in the life of Saint Paul, one of the authors of the Bible’s New Testament. In the left panel, Paul (then known as Saul) is presented as a Roman soldier who persecuted Christians; he gestures toward a young woman with bound hands. The central panel shows the moment of his conversion to Christianity, when a divine light blinded him on the road to Damascus. In the right panel, he is baptized as a Christian and his sight is restored.
Benjamin West was born in Pennsylvania but later traveled to Italy before settling in Britain, where he was appointed historical painter to King George III. The painting is one of two large, finished studies he created (the other is in the Dallas Museum of Art) for a window by glass painter Francis Eginton for St. Paul’s Church in Birmingham, England.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=SC+1951.169 |
