Seduced by Christ: The Damascus Event

Michelangelo’s fresco portrays all the element and personages described in Acts 9:1-9: his military escort; the horse from which he was thrown, bolting away; the fortified city of Damascus crowning a hilltop; a brilliant light emanating from the figure of Christ and directed at Saul, who falls to the ground, blinded. Michelangelo, The Conversion of Saul, 1542-45, Vatican City

The figures depicted around Christ are presented in the same manner and structure as those in the Universal Judgment, which Michelangelo had painted the year before (1541) in the Sistine Chapel.

Christ is directing a radiant light toward Saul Christ is directing a radiant light toward Saul. This light spreads out laterally to form a cross surrounded by many figures who are not angels but instead represent the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church.

Michelangelo paints the whole Mystical Body of the Church, with Christ as its head, so as to explain the significance of the words emanating from the radiant light: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked: “Who are you, Lord?” And the voice answered: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting!”

The artist anticipates the meaning of Paul’s words to the Ephesians, after he had been “seduced by Christ”: «He has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.» (Eph. 1:23)