Lodovico Carracci
Italian, 1555–1619
The Conversion of Saint Paul
INV-2021
Lodovico Carracci
Italian, 1555–16191587/89
The Conversion of Saint Paul
Lodovico Carracci Italian, 1555–1619 →drawings (visual works)ink
Date
1587/89
Medium
Pen and iron-gall ink, with brush and iron-gall ink wash, heightened with white oil paint, over traces of black chalk, on laid paper prepared with a brown oil wash, laid down on paper
Dimensions
55 × 33.5 cm (21 11/16 × 13 1/4 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Richard and Mary L. Gray
This large and elaborate study for an altarpiece (illustrated below) in the Church of San Francesco in the Italian city of Bologna rivals the final painting in its ambition. The artist invented a mixed pen-and-oil technique to evoke in his drawings the kind of spectacular contrasts between light and dark characteristic of his paintings.
The drawing’s bold technique and sharply opposing diagonals generate a drama of centrifugal force as Saint Paul, struck by a flash of light, falls from his rearing horse and soldiers rush to his rescue.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Samson and the Lion (recto); Virgin Mary with Right Arm Extended (verso)
Probably Domenico Fiasella (Italian, 1589-1669) or possibly Lodovico Carracci (Italian, 1555-1619) or possibly a follower of Cesare Dandini (Italian 1596-1657)
Seated Monk Holding Book
Probably Domenico Fiasella (Italian, 1589-1669) or possibly Lodovico Carracci (Italian, 1555-1619)
Temptation of Saint Anthony
Possibly school of the Carracci Family (Italian, flourished 16th-17th century) or possibly Lodovico Carracci (Italian, 1555-1619) or possibly school of Giovanni Battista Trotti (Italian, 1555-1619)
