The Conversion Of St. Paul 1495

Albrecht Durer renders the Apostle Paul’s transformative experience in delicate lines in this engraving. Here, we see Paul, moments before his conversion, sprawled on the ground as the divine light radiates from above, a manifestation of Christian revelation. Consider the motif of falling from a horse. It's not unique to Paul; this visual element is imbued with centuries of symbolic baggage. Think of the ancient depictions of vanquished warriors tumbled from their steeds—a symbol of defeat. Yet, in Paul’s case, the fall represents the beginning of enlightenment. It is an inversion; the physical fall is a spiritual rising. The horse, too, is laden with meaning. Often associated with nobility and war, its collapse alongside Paul speaks to the surrender of earthly power to divine will. This scene is a potent visual, rooted in cultural memory, and deeply affecting on a subconscious level. The drama of sudden, overwhelming illumination and the loss of control— engages us, reminding us of our own vulnerabilities. It’s a theme that resonates across time, re-emerging to capture our imaginations anew.