“The Conversion of Saul,” a fresco by Michelangelo, created between 1542 and 1545, exemplifies the Mannerism period of the Late Renaissance. The artwork, measuring 625 by 661 centimeters, is a religious painting situated within the Palazzo Apostolico in Vatican City. The painting vividly portrays the biblical event of Saul’s conversion to Christianity.
In the artwork, the dramatic scene unfolds with Saul being struck down by a divine light from the heavens. The depiction is intense and surreal, with divine figures and luminescence descending from the sky. The foreground is filled with agitated human figures and a horse, indicating the chaos and suddenness of the moment. The composition, with its dynamic use of light and muscular, contorted figures, reflects the stylistic characteristics of Mannerism, emphasizing tension and emotional intensity. The fresco’s vivid colors and masterful depiction of movement convey the profound spiritual transformation experienced by Saul.
