Apostle Paul, c.1629 by Jan Lievens
Canvas Print - 19876-LJA
Location: Kunsthalle, Bremen, GermanyOriginal Size: unknown
Giclée Canvas Print | $68.93 USD
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*Max printing size: 27.5 x 29.9 in
*Max framing size: Long side up to 28"
"Apostle Paul" will be custom-printed for your order using the latest giclée printing technology. This technique ensures that the Canvas Print captures an exceptional level of detail, showcasing vibrant and vivid colors with remarkable clarity.
Our use of the finest quality, fine-textured canvas lends art reproductions a painting-like appearance. Combined with a satin-gloss coating, it delivers exceptional print outcomes, showcasing vivid colors, intricate details, deep blacks, and impeccable contrasts. The canvas structure is also highly compatible with canvas stretching frames, further enhancing its versatility.
To ensure proper stretching of the artwork on the stretcher-bar, we add additional blank borders around the printed area on all sides.
Our printing process utilizes cutting-edge technology and employs the Giclée printmaking method, ensuring exceptional quality. The colors undergo independent verification, guaranteeing a lifespan of over 100 years.
Please note that there are postal restrictions limiting the size of framed prints to a maximum of 28 inches along the longest side of the painting. If you desire a larger art print, we recommend utilizing the services of your local framing studio.
*It is important to mention that the framing option is unavailable for certain paintings, such as those with oval or round shapes.
If you select a frameless art print of "Apostle Paul" by Jan Lievens, it will be prepared for shipment within 48 hours. However, if you prefer a framed artwork, the printing and framing process will typically require approximately 7-8 days before it is ready to be shipped.
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Painting Information
In this compelling portrayal of the Apostle Paul, Jan Lievens demonstrates his mastery of chiaroscuro and psychological penetration, creating a work that resonates with both spiritual gravity and human vulnerability. The elderly apostle sits in contemplative pause, his flowing white beard and furrowed brow illuminated by an unseen light source that serves both pictorial and symbolic purposes.
The composition is masterfully arranged around the central figure, dressed in a voluminous dark robe that seems to absorb the surrounding darkness. The placement of elements is carefully considered: the stack of books and manuscript to the left balance the figure's rightward lean, while the quill in his hand draws attention to the moment of divine inspiration. The scattered papers and books create a subtle diagonal that leads the eye upward to Paul's illuminated face.
Lievens' handling of paint reveals his technical sophistication. The artist employs a restricted palette dominated by deep browns and grays, punctuated by the luminous treatment of Paul's beard and face. The smooth application of paint, characteristic of the Leiden school's fine painting tradition, is particularly evident in the delicate rendering of the apostle's facial features and the subtle gradations of light across the fabric of his robe.
The lighting scheme is particularly noteworthy, demonstrating Lievens' understanding of dramatic illumination. The unseen light source creates a powerful spiritual metaphor, highlighting the instruments of Paul's ministry - his hands, the written word, and his contemplative visage. This technique, developed during his close association with Rembrandt, transforms what might have been a simple portrait into a profound meditation on divine inspiration and human dedication.
The historical context of this work is significant. Created around 1629, during Lievens' productive period in Leiden, it reflects the artist's engagement with religious subjects and his ability to infuse them with psychological depth. The Greek text visible in the manuscript - the second letter to the Thessalonians - adds historical authenticity while emphasizing Paul's role as a scholar and teacher. The painting transcends mere representation to become a meditation on the act of religious contemplation itself, capturing the moment when divine inspiration meets human effort.