Flanders / c. 1645–47
The Conversion of Saul with Christ and the Cross
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs The Conversion of Saul with Christ and the Cross as drawing (Flanders · c. 1645–47).
In order to create the arch at the top of this sheet, which is almost a foot high, the artist added an additional sheet of paper.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this drawing as brush and brown wash, gouache and watercolor over black and red chalk, heightened with traces of white; framing lines in graphite and credits Jacob Jordaens (Flemish, 1593–1678).
The museum's collection notes: Jacob Jordaens was a prominent artist working in Antwerp in the 17th century. Though influenced in his use of powerful forms and vibrant color by his contemporary, Peter Paul Rubens, Jordaens was notably more realist in his tendencies. This drawing and its companion drawing in the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection (1954.366) are very likely studies for a painting depicting the Conversion of Saint Paul that Jordaens made for the the abbey church at Tongerlo, near Antwerp, in around 1647 (now lost). According to the Bible, in the year following the death of Jesus Christ, Saul of Tarsus (who became Saint Paul) was on the road to Damascus. He
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtThe Conversion of Saul with Christ and the CrossOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.