Paul Before Felix 1752

Luke Sullivan created "Paul Before Felix," an engraving, sometime before 1771, now residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sullivan, working in 18th-century Britain, tapped into the era's fascination with religious and moral themes. Here, Paul stands before Felix, a Roman procurator, as described in the Book of Acts. But this isn't just a biblical scene; it’s a study of power and resistance. Paul, though a prisoner, embodies a powerful moral authority. Felix, surrounded by the symbols of Roman power, appears unsettled, almost fearful. Sullivan's work speaks to the tensions between spiritual conviction and earthly power. It asks us to consider where true authority lies. Does it come from social status, or from something deeper? The emotional intensity of the scene—Paul's impassioned defense versus Felix's visible disquiet—invites us to reflect on our own beliefs and the courage it takes to stand by them.