SACRED ART IN 100 WORDS

The Conversion on the Way to Damascus
Caravaggio
1601
Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome

Breathing murderous threats, Saul galloped to Damascus to secure the Truth but the Truth seized and secured him. Darkness fills Caravaggio’s canvas. It leads us to the personal encounter between Saul and Christ. The passionate persecutor lies in surrender on the ground. Divine light blinds him while opening the eyes of his heart. Interestingly, the horse dominates the painting. Notice the upturned hoof of the silent animal. Lingering mid-air it could trample the persecutor. But the horse gazes at the blind man, careful not to hurt him. This indicates that the all-powerful God cares. He crushes the sin not the sinner. God changed the hateful man who in turn changed history.