The artwork, titled “Conversion of St. Paul,” was created by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1567. Painted in oil on panel, this piece belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. With dimensions of 108 by 156 centimeters, it is classified as a religious painting. The artwork is currently housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
The artwork captures a dynamic and dramatic moment from the biblical story of the Conversion of St. Paul. Situated within a rugged, mountainous landscape, a large assembly of soldiers and horsemen, clad in vivid attire and armed with spears, traverses a steep path. The scene is filled with movement, depicting various figures engaged in a chaotic journey. Situated centrally, elements of the divine light can be interpreted from the illumination in the upper left quadrant, marking the profound and transformative moment for St. Paul. The meticulous detail in the rendering of the figures and the natural environment highlights Bruegel’s mastery in composition and narrative storytelling.
