Карел Дюжарден – Святой Павел исцеляет калеку в Листре 1663 * Karel Dujardin (1622-1678)

The composition centers around a central figure, distinguished by his flowing reddish-orange robes and prominent white beard, who dominates the visual field with a gesture of outstretched hands. He appears to be addressing or interacting with a group clustered before him. The lighting focuses intensely on this man, highlighting his face and upper body while casting the surrounding figures in relative shadow.
Immediately below him kneels a figure, presumably disabled, supported by crutches that lie discarded on the ground. His posture conveys both physical vulnerability and an expression of intense hope or supplication directed towards the central figure. A woman, draped in modest attire, reaches out with clasped hands toward the same man, her face conveying reverence and perhaps gratitude.
Behind these primary figures, a throng of onlookers is visible. Their faces display a range of emotions – curiosity, awe, and expectation – suggesting they are witnesses to an extraordinary event. The artist has rendered them with varying degrees of detail, some appearing more clearly defined than others, contributing to the sense of a large crowd pressing forward.
To the left, a young woman gazes intently at the central figure, her expression conveying a mixture of wonder and perhaps envy. A man on the right displays an almost ecstatic countenance, his hands raised in what could be interpreted as praise or astonishment. The varied reactions within the group contribute to the narratives complexity, suggesting that this event has profound implications for those present.
The background is composed of architectural elements – a classical column partially visible on the left – and a dramatic sky filled with swirling clouds. This atmospheric backdrop enhances the sense of grandeur and divine intervention associated with the scene. The dark tones of the upper portion of the canvas create a contrast with the brighter foreground, further emphasizing the central action and drawing the viewers eye to the healing taking place.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of faith, compassion, and the power of belief. The discarded crutches symbolize liberation from suffering, while the expressions on the faces of the onlookers suggest a collective experience of witnessing something transformative. The composition’s arrangement – the central figure radiating authority amidst a sea of supplicants – implies a hierarchical relationship between divine grace and human need.