Accession Number
2013/2.544

Title
Conversion of St. Paul [La Conversione de St. Paul]

Artist(s)
Jacques Callot

Artist Nationality
French (culture or style)

Medium & Support
etching on laid paper

Dimensions
3 15/16 x 2 13/16 in. (10 x 7 cm);4 1/16 x 2 13/16 in. (10.2 x 7 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink

Subject matter
As described in the New Testament book of Acts in the Christian Bible, the Pharisee named Saul was traveling from Jerusalem to Damascus in order to arrest the followers of Jesus Christ. On this journey, he sees a blinding light and hears a divine voice. This throws him from his horse. After he had this encounter, Saul was blind for three days. Saul finished his trip to Damascus where Ananias, guided by divine revelation, cares for the blind man. When Ananias places his hands on Saul, Saul regains his eye sight and is baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ and later changes his name to Paul. He becomes one of the twelve Apostles.

Physical Description
A battle scene with the sun's rays shining down through the clouds. At the center, a man has fallen from his horse and lays on the ground. From the clouds above, a voice comes down, inscribed "SAVLE SAVLE QVID ME PERSEQVERIS." At base of print is written "Totus lesus in Paulo consumptus est. Chrysost. Iesus-Christ s'est enployé tout entier en ce mystere."

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
intaglio print

Additional Object Classification(s)
Print

Collection Area
Western

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
battles
clouds
flags
horses (equipment)
soldiers
world religions