Bekering van Paulus 1710 - 1740

Curator: What a flurry of action, I am immediately drawn into the energetic lines and implied dynamism. Editor: We’re looking at "Bekering van Paulus," or "Conversion of Paul," an etching crafted between 1710 and 1740. It now resides here at the Rijksmuseum, a print by Gilliam van der Gouwen. Curator: Etching gives it a certain dramatic sharpness. Note the contrast, almost theatrical! What strikes me is the radiating light—it bisects the image, and clearly it is a symbol of… something. The group seems agitated by this light—is this Paul's vision? Editor: Absolutely, this is Saul’s pivotal moment. We observe figures strewn about—some shielding their eyes, a horse collapsing. It depicts the biblical story of Saul, who transforms into Paul upon encountering a divine revelation on the road to Damascus. Curator: Yes, now I see it, and observe how the artist employs a clear Baroque visual language, creating an overwhelming scene of the divine intercepting a group traveling with, judging by the way the main character seems to be going somewhere quite purposefully, with some sort of warrant and backup—clearly up to no good! I believe he would have continued to oppress and persecute early Christians until that moment when… Bam! Everything changed, eh? The psychological disruption! Editor: Right, that symbolic light carries significant weight here. It signifies a disruption of former world views. Notice, however, the graphic line work in rendering fabric and movement. It seems Van der Gouwen seeks to show the dynamism within religious awakening, a spiritual disruption. Curator: Indeed, it brings forth those lingering historical, emotional and cultural weights this story carried for the culture it came from, an entire system of thought toppled by an epiphany, with very earthly consequences to follow— the persecution… I mean, the establishment of the very seed of Christian Europe. In that light, the rays can be also seen as seeds flying towards new earth... Editor: Very astute. What I will take away from my own observation is how light is not merely illumination, but substance, structure. Look at how all shapes echo light's direction and power, how every body bends toward its blinding core. Curator: Beautiful! Now you got me thinking about enlightenment in graphic forms as conversion through pure structure! What a marvelous dive that was!