Conversion of Saint Paul 1612 - 1666

Pier Francesco Mola made this drawing, Conversion of Saint Paul, with pen and brown ink. It depicts the Apostle Paul’s famous conversion to Christianity. Made in Italy in the mid-seventeenth century, the drawing reflects the Catholic Church's efforts to reaffirm its spiritual authority during the Counter-Reformation. Mola’s dramatic composition emphasizes Paul’s personal, miraculous encounter with Christ. The Apostle lies supine, nearly nude, with arms outstretched, while his frightened companions recoil from the divine light. Mola’s stylistic choices, such as his expressive pen strokes and dynamic arrangement of figures, heighten the emotional intensity of the scene. To fully understand this work, scholars investigate theological treatises, artistic manifestos, and the biographies of leading patrons of the period. The interpretation of art remains contingent upon the complex interplay of social, religious, and institutional contexts.