A bolt of divine light thrusts Saul, the future St. Paul, from his horse in an overwhelming spiritual tide undetected by steed or groom in Caravaggio’s “The Conversion of St. Paul, 1601.” The forceful and dramatic painting appears to assume three dimensions as Saul, illuminated by heaven’s light, is propelled to the foreground, while the lesser characters fade into the painting’s dark depths. Lying blinded and helpless, arms desperately outstretched for mercy, Saul is sightless for three days, but is enabled to see Christ’s message. Caravaggio (1571 – 1610) rebelled against convention, representing this miracle with stark, disquieting, realistic imagery.

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