H. Paulus 1638 - 1657

Curator: Take a look at this engraving titled "H. Paulus," dating back to sometime between 1638 and 1657. It's here at the Rijksmuseum. What strikes you first? Editor: The sheer force of the image! He looms large, with that flowing beard and those bare feet…there's a sense of someone wrestling with weighty thoughts, etched directly onto the plate and then this paper. Curator: Absolutely. The artist captures that intensity, doesn't he? Notice how Paul is poised, caught between the act of writing and reflection. His gaze drifts upward. You see the quill in one hand and the open book beside him; but there's also a sword propped up at his side. Quite the juxtaposition, eh? Editor: That sword! It's so prominent, almost piercing the viewer’s space. Swords are often seen as phallic symbols and I wonder, placed alongside Paul, the scripture, whether this hints at conflict within his figure... His book lies open. He's paused—unsure where his phallic "sword", the force of life, belongs here! It also reminds one of Peter wielding a sword during the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane; and perhaps hinting here at martyrdom. Curator: Fascinating interpretation! You see, St. Paul is such a complex figure, the combination makes you think of his spiritual authority alongside the power and conviction required to spread the gospel... His personal drive made tangible with an image that also has great cultural power! The use of engraving adds to the stark, unwavering feeling. Editor: It certainly emphasizes that duality. Light and shadow play a great part and adds to this psychological depth, don't you think? I love how the landscape behind him seems almost turbulent; mirrored in the subject's own thoughts as captured here, suspended in an act of the unknown as writing always must be when inspired... A very beautiful symbolic reflection of creation in life. Curator: Exactly, and that interplay contributes so much to its impact even today. There is something both immediate and otherworldly when looking at Paul as seen by a follower in that far away time; the medium is used skillfully by someone with deep understanding. Editor: And to leave with, the composition creates a sense of timelessness, almost like we’re catching a glimpse into a recurring, internal process. He embodies, almost perfectly, faith in conflict, and perhaps there is a valuable and continuing theme as that battle of inner and outer rages. Curator: Yes, definitely giving you a new appreciation of old stories—I'll carry that thought forward!