Paul Preaching at Philippi from a set of Scenes from the Life of Saint Paul
Original title: Paul Preaching at Philippi from a set of Scenes from the Life of Saint Paul
kurzbeschreibung
Paul the Apostle preaches at Philippi, and that scene is the subject of this tapestry, one of a series devoted to the life of Saint Paul. Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) is regarded as the author of the design, and the work is dated to about 1600. It is woven in wool and silk and measures approximately 353.1 x 264.2 cm.
Description
Paul stands elevated, one hand raised in speech, while listeners gather around him—some seated, others standing. A rural setting with trees and a well closes the view at the back, and the figures' garments belong to the sixteenth century. Smaller scenes and emblems along the border allude to further episodes in Paul's life. Grays dominate the palette, and the layout is arranged symmetrically around the central figure of Paul.
Context
The tapestry belongs to a series narrating the life of Saint Paul, designed after Raphael's models for the Sistine Chapel. The related cartoons were made around 1515–1516, and the tapestries themselves were woven in Pieter van Aelst's Brussels workshop. The dating of this example to about 1600, however, points to a later repetition or reweaving, since the originals were finished in the sixteenth century. The series was intended for the lower wall zones of the Sistine Chapel, where it presented scenes from the Acts of the Apostles.
Impact
The clear, symmetrical arrangement brings the preaching Paul into focus. The predominantly gray palette and the fine wool-and-silk surface give the piece a calm, dignified presence. The listeners appear in varied poses, which creates liveliness without disturbing the ordered overall effect.
Technique
The tapestry was made in tapestry weaving with 14–15 warp threads per inch (6–7 per cm). Wool and silk served as the materials and allow precise reproduction of details. The piece was presumably produced in a Brussels workshop known for its high-quality tapestries.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)