The Apostles, St. Paul and St. Barnabas at Lystra - Jacob Jordaens

A dramatic Flemish Baroque scene depicting the biblical encounter at Lystra, where the apostles Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for deities by a local crowd.

Jacob Jordaens, a contemporary of Peter Paul Rubens, produced this large-scale composition depicting the biblical narrative from the Acts of the Apostles. The scene captures the moment at Lystra where the local populace, having witnessed a miracle performed by Paul and Barnabas, mistakes them for the gods Hermes and Zeus. The crowd prepares to offer a sacrificial ox, a gesture the apostles vehemently reject.

Jordaens employs a dramatic chiaroscuro technique, typical of the Flemish Baroque period. The lighting focuses on the central figures, particularly the muscular, semi-nude men preparing the animal for sacrifice. Their physical presence contrasts with the more restrained, draped figures of the apostles to the left. The composition is crowded and kinetic, with figures overlapping to create a sense of immediate, chaotic action. The artist uses a warm, earthy palette, punctuated by the deep reds and ochres of the garments, which draws the eye across the complex arrangement of bodies.

This work demonstrates the artist's interest in human anatomy and the expressive potential of gesture. The faces of the crowd reflect a mixture of awe, confusion, and religious fervour. Jordaens avoids static poses, opting instead for a dynamic interaction between the figures that fills the frame. The inclusion of the ox, central to the narrative, serves as the anchor for the composition, around which the various reactions of the onlookers are organised. The painting remains a clear example of the Antwerp school's approach to historical and religious subjects, prioritising emotional intensity and physical realism over idealised forms.