Bekering van Saulus 1652 - 1707

Franz Ertinger created this sketch, “Conversion of Saul,” sometime in the 17th century. The story of Saul’s transformation speaks to how identity can shift under the weight of revelation, and how power structures are maintained through belief. Here, Saul lies beneath his rearing horse, struck by a divine light, as angels descend. What precedes this moment is Saul’s violent persecution of early Christians, a detail that makes his conversion so radical. His embrace of Christianity is not just a personal change, but a challenge to the established order and his prior position within it. This sketch captures a pivotal moment of vulnerability and change. The theatricality of the scene, with its dramatic light and figures, draws us into Saul’s internal struggle. Are we witnessing true enlightenment or a performance of piety? The questions this artwork raises about identity, belief, and the performance of transformation remain deeply relevant today.