“This vivid drawing captures the dramatic biblical story of Saint Paul's shipwreck and miraculous survival from a viper's bite, rendered with powerful lines and expressive washes of ink.”
A dramatic moment unfolds on this page, captured with swift, energetic lines and washes of brown ink. We see Saint Paul, shipwrecked on the island of Malta, shaking a viper from his hand into a crackling fire. The artist masterfully uses the contrast between dark, swirling shadows and bright highlights to emphasize the saint's calm resolve amidst the chaos. Flames lick upwards, illuminating the startled faces of the islanders who witness this miraculous event. Their expressions range from awe to fear, conveying the immediate impact of Paul's divine protection. This drawing, with its dynamic composition and expressive figures, captures the raw intensity of the biblical narrative from the Book of Acts, focusing on the moment of divine intervention and human reaction.
- Artist
- Philip West
- Medium
- Pen and brown ink with brush and tan wash, on cream laid paper with blue fibers tipped onto cream wove paper
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- 30.4 × 37.6 cm (12 × 14 13/16 in.)
- Collection
- Prints and Drawings
- Culture
- United States
- Credit line
- Gift of Margaret Day Blake
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.
Paul's serene face, contrasting with the islanders' alarm.
The viper, a small yet central detail, falling into the flames.
The glowing embers and smoke rising from the fire.
The varied expressions of the onlookers around the fire.
1 more detail is waiting.
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Philip West
1949–1997Philip West was an English painter whose career spanned from deeply traditional historical scenes like 'The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise' to vibrant modern works such as 'Red Box'.
