Saint Paul 1427 - 1433

This drawing of Saint Paul was created by someone in the circle of Jan van Eyck, a Northern Renaissance painter, in the first half of the 15th century. During this period, there was a growing humanist movement that sought to reconcile classical wisdom with Christian teachings. Here, Saint Paul, who was a pivotal figure in the early spread of Christianity, is depicted holding both a book and a sword, symbols of knowledge and martyrdom. The rendering of Paul with long hair and a beard presents him as a patriarchal figure, while his elegant robes denote a high social status, further embedding him in the established social hierarchy. The level of detail achieved through ink on paper invites us to reflect on the cultural and religious values of the time, and the ways in which powerful figures like Saint Paul were portrayed to reinforce societal norms.