Landscape with Conversion of Saint Paul 1600 - 1625

Kerstiaen de Keuninck painted this oil on panel depicting "Landscape with Conversion of Saint Paul". The dramatic natural setting is rendered with striking intensity, perhaps alluding to the transformative experience of the Apostle. Painted in Antwerp, this work reflects the cultural and religious tensions of the early 17th century. The Spanish Netherlands were a site of conflict between Catholic and Protestant factions, shaping the production and reception of art. De Keuninck’s landscapes often incorporate religious or mythological scenes, suggesting the integration of faith into the natural world. The sublime landscape, a popular theme at the time, is given a specific Christian context through the figure of Saint Paul, highlighting the power of divine intervention. The interpretation of art is contingent on its social and institutional context. Art historians consult period documents and theological texts to better understand the complex interplay of faith, politics, and artistic expression.