St Paulus, from Sinners of the Old and New Testament

Art Historical Context

**St. Paulus, from *Sinners of the Old and New Testament*** Willem van Swanenburgh, c. 1609-1611 Engraving on ivory laid paper, 26.7 × 16.7 cm Art Institute of Chicago, Prints and Drawings This striking engraving by Dutch artist Willem van Swanenburgh captures St. Paul (Paulus), the fervent persecutor of early Christians who transformed into one of Christianity's greatest apostles after his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. Part of the series *Sinners of the Old and New Testament*, it reflects the early 17th-century fascination with redemption narratives, blending moral instruction with dramatic storytelling. Produced during the Dutch Golden Age's dawn, amid religious tensions between Protestants and Catholics, such prints served as affordable devotional aids for homes and churches, emphasizing themes of sin, repentance, and divine grace. Van Swanenburgh, a Leiden-based engraver trained in the intricate Northern Mannerist tradition, excelled in fine-line techniques that conveyed texture and emotion on small scales. Here, the medium—engraving on high-quality ivory laid paper—allowed for exceptional detail and tonal depth, with the creamy paper enhancing contrast from the inked lines incised into a copper plate. Trimmed to a compact 26.7 × 16.7 cm, it was designed for intimate contemplation, showcasing the era's mastery of printmaking as both art and propaganda. A testament to the period's technical innovation, this work invites visitors to ponder Paul's journey from sinner to saint.