Art Captions

Author notes

0058. Conversion on the Way to Damascus

CornTown

on March 5, 2010

By Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Circa. 1601
Italian Baroque

This painting, together with the Crucifixion of Saint Peter was commissioned by Tiberio Cerasi, Treasurer-General to Pope Clement VIII, in September 1600. According to Giovanni Baglione, an early biographer of Caravaggio, both paintings were rejected by Cerasi, and were repainted. This is the second version of The Conversion of St. Paul. The dates of completion and rejection are determined from the death of Cerasi in May 1601. Baglione states that the first versions of both paintings were taken by Cardinal Giacomo Sannessio, but another writings says that Sannessio's paintings were copies. Nevertheless, most scholars believe that this painting along with the first version of the Conversion of Paul were both created by the artist.

Jacob "Corntown" Gray

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