The Conversion of Saint Paul

Caravaggio’s first version, on wood

In 1600, Caravaggio was commissioned to paint two pictures for the Cerasi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome: the Conversion of Saint Paul and the Crucifixion of Saint Peter. His first versions, painted on cypress panels, were not installed. He painted new canvases, which still hang in the chapel today.

This painting is that first version of the Conversion, painted around 1600 to 1601. It survives in the private Odescalchi Balbi collection in Rome.

Saul thrown from his horse

On the road to Damascus, Saul, a persecutor of Christians, is struck by a blinding light. Here he lies on the ground in Roman armour, covering his eyes with his hands. In the Bible, he becomes the apostle Paul after this moment.

Christ reaches down

Unlike the later Cerasi canvas, this version shows Christ himself, supported by an angel, leaning out of the sky and stretching his hand towards Saul. The scene is crowded and full of movement.

A soldier and a rearing horse

An old soldier with a feathered helmet raises his shield and spear, as if to defend against the vision.

Above, the horse rears in fright, its eye wide. In the final canvas, Caravaggio removed almost everything except Paul, the horse and one groom, creating a far quieter scene.

Questions about The Conversion of Saint Paul

Which version is this?

The first version, on wood, about 1600 to 1601, now in the Odescalchi Balbi collection, Rome.

Where is the second version?

In the Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome.

Why are there two versions?

The first panels were not installed; Caravaggio painted new canvases for the chapel.

How large is it?

About 237 × 189 centimetres, oil on cypress panel.

Sources and image credit

• Wikimedia Commons: The Conversion of Saint Paul (c. 1600 to 1601)

Public-domain reproduction of The Conversion of Saint Paul (first version), via Wikimedia Commons. Detail images are crops of the same historical painting; no reconstruction or upscaling.