Conversion St. Paul 1571 - 1635

Suzanne de Court created this enameled copper dish depicting the Conversion of Saint Paul, in France, sometime around the turn of the seventeenth century. As an object, it speaks to the period's religious sensitivities and social structures. The scene illustrates the biblical story of Saul’s transformation into Paul, a pivotal event in the establishment of Christianity. Court’s choice of subject reflects the intense religious debates of the time, amidst the broader context of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, with a large and highly ornate scene in which Roman soldiers on horseback recoil as the heavens open. The dish itself provides insight into the cultural values of the era. Luxury items like this were often commissioned by the wealthy elite, reinforcing their status and piety. It's worth asking how the institutional forces of religion, patronage, and artistic production intersected to shape both the creation and reception of this artwork. Scholarly research into religious history, social customs, and art market dynamics can help us better understand this image.