The Conversion Of Paul

Originally, it was thought that Michelangelo was painting his own rendition of "Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter." Vasari wrote about this, but it was in fact not true. The two frescoes chosen to be painted were, "The Conversion of Paul" and "Crucifixion of Peter." "Conversion of Paul" is the first fresco we will be taking a look at. It is the first painting he did for the chapel on the left hand side.

(Howard Hibbard's Michelangelo, second edition)

Conversion of Paul

The story goes like this: 

Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee in Jerusalem after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, swore to wipe out the new Christian church, called The Way. He got letters from the high priest authorizing him to arrest any followers of Jesus in the city of Damascus. On the Damascus Road, Saul and his companions were struck down by a blinding light. Saul heard a voice say, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" When Saul asked who was speaking to him, the voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go to the city, and you will be told what you must do." The men with Saul heard the sound but not the vision of Christ that Saul did. Saul was blinded and led by the men to Damascus to a man named Judas. For three days Saul was blind and did not eat or drink anything. Jesus appeared in a vision to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias and told him to go to Saul. Ananias was afraid because he knew about Saul's bad reputation with the church. Jesus repeated his command and explained that Saul was his chosen instrument to deliver the gospel to the gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel. Ananias found Saul at Judas' house, praying for help. Ananias laid his hands on Saul, telling him Jesus had sent him to restore his sight and that Saul might be filled with the Holy Spirit. Scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see again. He arose and was baptized into the Christian faith. Saul ate, regained his strength, and stayed with the Damascus disciples for three days. After his conversion, Saul changed his name to Paul.  

This story became a familiar subject in the following years due to Michelangelo's painting. Michelangelo was following recent artistic tradition in showing a horse in his fresco even though it was not mentioned in the scripture (Michelangelo was particularly fond of horses) An empty area behind the horse in the fresco references a spot where Saul may have been struck down by the blinding light. In the foreground lies blinded Saul, the horse bolting to the rear, and an entourage of figures reacting to the event. They form a circular composition in the painting. In the sky is another circular group formed around flying Christ whose right hand casts the beam of light at Saul's head. In the distance is Damascus - this and the companion fresco are Michelangelo's first paintings to show real depth and space comparable to others paintings during the Renaissance. 

Detail of Saul

Detail of Christ

Sketch for Conversion of Paul