The Conversion of Polemon 1778 - 1790

James Barry created this engraving, "The Conversion of Polemon," using etching and engraving. The composition is structured around a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, heightening the emotional intensity of the scene. The figures are arranged in a classical frieze-like manner, with Polemon, the central figure, seated and seemingly in distress. This is juxtaposed with the orator who stands on a platform, his gestures commanding attention. The orator and Polemon’s bodies form two opposing visual and ideological poles. The medium's texture is critical. Barry’s skillful handling of line and tone creates a sense of depth and volume, enriching the work's visual complexity. Here, the artist uses form not just to depict a historical event but to explore the psychological transformation and the power of rhetoric. This print encapsulates a larger discourse on reason, passion, and the very nature of conversion.