The artwork, titled “Pesaro Altarpiece (predella),” was crafted by Giovanni Bellini between 1471 and 1474. It is an oil painting on wood, exemplifying the Early Renaissance art movement. Spanning dimensions of 40 by 36 centimeters, this religious painting is housed in Ca’ Pesaro, specifically within the International Gallery of Modern Art in Venice, Italy.
The artwork presents a dramatically charged scene rich in narrative and emotion, characteristic of the Early Renaissance period. Dominated by dynamic figures and expressive faces, the painting depicts a biblical episode involving a sudden divine intervention, likely the moment of Saul’s conversion to Paul on the road to Damascus. The figures, each meticulously detailed, convey a sense of movement and urgency against a backdrop of turbulent skies. Bellini’s masterful use of color and light brings depth and life to the scene, while the composition directs the viewer’s attention to the central dramatic event.
