Saint Paul 1622 - 1624

Curator: Claude Vignon’s Saint Paul presents us with a compelling study of the Apostle. Editor: My first thought is the palpable gloom. The saint's downcast gaze and the somber tones speak of introspection, perhaps even regret. Curator: Vignon, active in the early 17th century, was known for his textured surfaces. Look at how he builds up the paint, especially in the beard and the folds of the drapery. It’s almost sculptural. Editor: Absolutely. And the sword, of course, a potent symbol of his martyrdom, also serves as a reminder of his initial persecution of Christians. That dark, weighty metal against the page is striking. Curator: The quill and inkwell are key too. Vignon highlights Paul's labor and intellect, his role as a writer, a maker of texts, not just a preacher. Editor: Yes, these are the tools of transformation, and the raw materiality, the texture, of the quill and sword, contrasts with the ideas they allow to be written and formed. A beautiful tension. Curator: Indeed. Vignon allows us to meditate on the complex materiality and social context of faith, not just the saint's story. Editor: It certainly invites us to look beyond the immediate narrative. It is a compelling visual exploration.