Conversione sulla via di Damasco - San Paolo del Caravaggio
“Conversion on the Way to Damascus - Saint Paul by Caravaggio”…
After a spiritual Mass at St. Peters Basilica and an intense tour of the Vatican, discussions with fellow pilgrim, Patrick, proved inspirational. Our eyes were fixated on the famous Caravaggio paintings located in the acclaimed Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo. The “Crucifixion of Peter” and the “Conversion on the Way to Damascus” were elusive on my previous visit. We found the Basilica under reconstruction, waiting for an opening, then rushed inside to find darkness and disarray everywhere. Finally, finding the dark chapel, our eyes could not focus enough to discover the paintings. Suddenly, the light arose and the Caravaggio’s were an arm’s length away. We expeditiously actuated our cameras and euphorically clicked away. Just as hastily, a mysterious guard clicked off the lights. “On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” [Acts 9:3-5] The scene is lit by a strong light but the three figures are engulfed by almost impenetrable darkness. A few faint rays on the light evoke Jesus' epiphany but these are not the real source of the lighting, and the groom remains seemingly oblivious to the presence of the divine. Caravaggio's style of Tenebrism, where forms in paintings emerge from a dark background with usually one source of stark light, creates dramatic effects with its strong contrasts. This lighting was evoking spiritual drama in the Conversion of Saint Paul. In the present day, the reputation of Caravaggio remains impressive - ranked alongside the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. I am always appreciative upon completion of one of my many artworks. Displaying this elusive image by the great Caravaggio, I am triumphant!
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- Dino Carbetta
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- 6539x8422 / 315.2MB
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italy, architecture, clouds, drama, dramatic, heavenly, heaven, countryside, buildings, culture, antiquity, fine art, artistic, landscape, ancient, middle ages, basilica, church, chiesa, duomo, vertical, horizontal, color, age, colour, cathedral, tree, cross, crucifix, monastery, convent, assisi, stairs, staircase, santa maria, mary, jesus, saint clare, christ, cristo, lord, savior, mother mary, blue, evening crepuscolo, sera, mosaic, vista, panorama, pano, mosaico, fresco, rain, rainy, wet, acqua, angel, piccolo, campanile, angelo, rainbow, heaven, skies, sky, rooftop, doppio, arcobaleno, dio, risplende, san rufino, santa chiara, god, tuscany, toscana, dome, beautiful, bellissimo, bello, fiori, azure, blue, azzuri, etruscan, saint francis, san francesco, olives, olive trees, sun, sunlight, dusk, dawn, evening, grandeur, wine, vino, window, door, vernazza, italian, faith, madonna, boats, piazza, mountains, giotto, franciscan, dino, carbetta, italian, fine, art, photography
- Contained in galleries
- Dino's Pellegrinaggio
![“Conversion on the Way to Damascus - Saint Paul by Caravaggio”…<br />
<br />
After a spiritual Mass at St. Peters Basilica and an intense tour of the Vatican, discussions with fellow pilgrim, Patrick, proved inspirational. Our eyes were fixated on the famous Caravaggio paintings located in the acclaimed Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo. The “Crucifixion of Peter” and the “Conversion on the Way to Damascus” were elusive on my previous visit. We found the Basilica under reconstruction, waiting for an opening, then rushed inside to find darkness and disarray everywhere. Finally, finding the dark chapel, our eyes could not focus enough to discover the paintings. Suddenly, the light arose and the Caravaggio’s were an arm’s length away. We expeditiously actuated our cameras and euphorically clicked away. Just as hastily, a mysterious guard clicked off the lights. “On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” [Acts 9:3-5] The scene is lit by a strong light but the three figures are engulfed by almost impenetrable darkness. A few faint rays on the light evoke Jesus' epiphany but these are not the real source of the lighting, and the groom remains seemingly oblivious to the presence of the divine. Caravaggio's style of Tenebrism, where forms in paintings emerge from a dark background with usually one source of stark light, creates dramatic effects with its strong contrasts. This lighting was evoking spiritual drama in the Conversion of Saint Paul. In the present day, the reputation of Caravaggio remains impressive - ranked alongside the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. I am always appreciative upon completion of one of my many artworks. Displaying this elusive image by the great Caravaggio, I am triumphant!](https://www.dinocarbetta.com/img-get2/I0000utTWq4J0LfA/fit=1000x750/Conversione-sulla-via-di-Damasco-San-Paolo-del-Caravaggio.jpg)
