Saint Paul

About this work

This painting depicts a man in a long robe, holding a sword in his right hand and a book in his left. He is standing in front of a golden archway, which frames his head and shoulders. The man's robe is white with a red sash around his waist, and he wears a blue tunic underneath. His hair is dark and curly, and he has a beard. The man's expression is serious, and he looks directly at the viewer. The sword he holds is long and slender, with a golden hilt. The book in his left hand is closed, with a golden clasp. The painting is rendered in a realistic style, with attention to detail in the folds of the man's robes and the texture of the sword and book. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up Andrea Vanni.