The Conversion of Saint Paul
<p>This large and elaborate study for an altarpiece (illustrated below) in the Church of San Francesco in the Italian city of Bologna rivals the final painting in its ambition. The artist invented a mixed pen-and-oil technique to evoke in his drawings the kind of spectacular contrasts between light and dark characteristic of his paintings.</p> <p>The drawing’s bold technique and sharply opposing diagonals generate a drama of centrifugal force as Saint Paul, struck by a flash of light, falls from his rearing horse and soldiers rush to his rescue.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1587
- Dimensions
- 55 × 33.5 cm (21 11/16 × 13 1/4 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- Lodovico Carracci
Artist
Painting
Ludovico Carracci (Italian, 1555–1619)
Full artist profile →More
More by Lodovico Carracci
Study for a Thesis Conclusion Presented to the Duke of Mantua
1616 · Pen and brown ink, on buff laid paper, laid down on cream laid paper
The Adoration of the Shepherds
1611 · Pen and brown ink, with white heightening, on ivory laid paper prepared with rust-brown wash, partially incised for transfer
Saint Benedict Moving the Stone which a Demon Had Made Immobile
1606 · Pen and black ink, over black chalk, on golden-brown laid paper, laid down on cream laid paper
The Nativity with Saints Francis and Agnes
1605 · pen and brown ink and brown wash with white heightening over black chalk; traces of incising
Decorative Design
1600 · Pen and brown ink, on ivory laid paper, laid down on ivory laid paper
Standing Monk Holding Host and Palen
1600 · Red chalk heightened with lead white (discolored), on ivory laid paper, laid down on ivory laid paper
Record
Verified by WattsOS- Artist
- Lodovico Carracci
- Year
- 1587
- Dimensions
- 55 × 33.5 cm (21 11/16 × 13 1/4 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1587-119029
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified