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St. Paul shaking off the Viper in the Island of Malta

c. 1735

About the Item

Literature: cf. 'Catalogue of Paintings in the Wellington Museum Apsley House' by C.M. Kauffman, revised by Susan Jenkins, English Heritage in association with Paul Holberton publishing, London 2009, pp. 223-4, cat. no.123. Description: This large and impressive canvas is an important addition to Panini's oeuvre and, according to Professor F. Arisi, should be dated to around 1735 on comparison with the small version (73 cm x 61cm) signed and dated that year at the Wellington Museum, London (Arisi, 1986, p.348, no.234). The picture illustrates The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28, verses 1-6. Paul, on his way to stand trial in Rome, is shipwrecked on Malta with other prisoners. They are welcomed by the islanders who light a fire to warm their guests. As he helps to collect sticks for firewood, Paul is bitten by a viper which fastens itself to his hand. He shakes it off into the fire and is unharmed. The islanders take this to be a miracle and proof of divine protection. We are grateful to Charles Beddington for confirming the attribution to Panini upon first-hand inspection.
  • Attributed to:
    Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691 - 1765, Italian)
  • Creation Year:
    c. 1735
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 103 in (261.62 cm)Width: 85.8 in (217.94 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
    1730-1739
  • Condition:
    Condition report available upon request.
  • Gallery Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU673314323072

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