Ananias Restoring the Sight of St Paul
by RESTOUT, Jean II, Oil on canvas, 90 x 80 cm
Jean Restout was one of the most famous French painters in the 18th century. This painting is a smaller version of a painting (now in the Louvre) commissioned by the Congregation of St Maurice for the Abbey Saint-Germain-des-Pr�s in Paris.
Ananias was a disciple of St Paul, living in Damascus. He learned through a vision that he was to go to Paul, who was blinded on the road to Damascus by a sudden light from heaven, and restore his sight by laying on hands. In the painting Paul is seen kneeling before Ananias. His armour lies beside him. The dove of the Holy Ghost hovers overhead. Another disciple brings the water needed for the baptism.