Conversion of St. Paul

Art Historical Context

Behold the dramatic *Conversion of St. Paul*, an etching from around 1637 by Herman Weyen after a design by Laurent de Lare. This print captures the biblical moment when Saul, en route to persecute Christians, is struck by divine light on the road to Damascus, into the Apostle Paul.id tags like angels, rearing horses, men, and evoke a chaotic yet transcendent scene, blending earthly turmoil with heavenly intervention. Laurent de Lare, a prominent French artist of the Baroque era, infused his works with classical elegance inspired by Raphael and Poussin, even as Counter-Reformation fervor emphasized dramatic religious narratives. Etching, the medium here, allowed Weyen to translate La Hyre's vision into intricate lines on a metal plate, bitten by acid for expressive depth and tonal subtlety—ideal for disseminating grand compositions to a wider audience in 17th-century Europe. Measuring nearly 16 by 12 inches, this sheet from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department highlights printmaking's role in democratizing art. Acquired through The Elisha Whittelsey Fund in 1967, it invites visitors to ponder faith's sudden power, a timeless theme rendered with masterful precision.

About the Artist

Herman Weyen|Laurent de La Hyre (Flemish|French) · 1600 |1602 –1672 |1676

Flemish, died Paris, 1672|French, Tours 1602/04–1676 Paris