Extase van Paulus 1674

Claude Mellan created this black chalk drawing, 'Extase van Paulus' – or 'Ecstasy of Paul' – during the Baroque period. Mellan's work appears to capture a moment of spiritual transcendence. The Apostle Paul is depicted rising heavenward, surrounded by cherubic figures amidst billowing clouds. During the 17th century, the Catholic Church faced the challenge of the Protestant Reformation. In response, the Baroque style was used to create deeply emotional and awe-inspiring art which aimed to stir religious sentiment in the viewer. The ecstasy experienced by Saint Paul becomes a visual representation of divine communication. Mellan uses the male nude not just for its aesthetic appeal, but to depict Paul’s vulnerability and openness to divine experience. The image hints at a transformative moment. The drawing’s intense emotionality invites us to consider the deeply personal, yet publicly performed, nature of religious experience in a time of great ideological conflict.