Apostel Paulus 1642 - 1698

Curator: This is Bernard Vaillant's "Apostel Paulus," likely created sometime between 1642 and 1698. It's an engraving. My first thought? Quite imposing, almost glowering, a man in deep thought. Editor: The sword—a strange, subtle element. You see the glint on the metal? That says so much. The power dynamic feels complex here, more about internal struggle than outward aggression, I'd say. Curator: The sword definitely adds a layer. As a symbol, the sword has obvious connections to the militant or righteous. Editor: Absolutely, and consider Saint Paul—Saul turned Paul. The sword is so tied to his history, perhaps a stark metaphor for cutting away the old self? It speaks volumes about personal transformation, the battle within to embrace new beliefs, and how painful and wrought with resistance that journey must have been. Curator: I like that perspective. I was thinking about the more typical interpretation – that sword of truth cutting away falsities – but your focus on personal turmoil really adds depth. What about his gaze? Where does it seem to be directed? Editor: Upward, right? Definite seeking. The curls of his hair, the beard—there’s this incredible movement, upward energy matched to the searching glance, as if the spiritual awakening is simultaneously internal and trying to manifest outwardly, trying to find direction. The play of light almost lifts him from darkness. Curator: He seems very…present. Vaillant has rendered the scene in a deeply compelling fashion. Do you get a sense of the dramatic in it at all? Editor: Undeniably Baroque in its drama, heightened contrast between light and shadow certainly adds to the dramatic flair and to the profound feeling that we are party to an awakening in progress. Overall, this is less an idealized figure than a powerful exploration of conflict and belief. Curator: So beautifully put. It makes me consider how religious figures are represented in art; this Paulus resists stereotype. Editor: He's human. That internal struggle, made so raw by Vaillant, that is truly inspiring.