Apostel Paulus schudt een adder af in vuur 1697

This 1697 engraving by an anonymous artist depicts the Biblical story of Saint Paul shaking off a viper from his hand into a fire. This scene is taken from the Book of Acts, chapter 28, verses 3-6. The artwork portrays Saint Paul as a central figure with a snake slithering from his hand as he stands before a group of people and a fire. The detailed depiction of the snake and Saint Paul's expressive gesture highlight the drama of the scene. This engraving, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a small-scale work, measuring just 121 mm high and 80 mm wide, and exemplifies the artistic style of the 17th century.