Paul Preaching at Philippi from a set of Scenes from the Life of Saint Paul

The monumental textile known as Paul Preaching at Philippi from a set of Scenes from the Life of Saint Paul, attributed to the designs of Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi), exemplifies High Renaissance iconography interpreted through the craft of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Executed primarily in wool and silk, this significant textile exhibits a fine technical density of 14-15 warps per inch (or 6-7 per cm.), showcasing the weaver’s ability to translate the subtleties of the original painted cartoon into fiber. This density was typical of high-quality Flemish weaving workshops that specialized in reproducing celebrated Italian masterworks.

This piece focuses on Saint Paul’s mission, depicting him addressing a crowd of Men and Women in the ancient city of Philippi. The composition adheres closely to Raphael’s acclaimed design for the original Vatican tapestries, which were commissioned by Pope Leo X around 1515 for the Sistine Chapel. These New Testament scenes became one of the most widely reproduced sets of designs in European art history. The apostle, central to the arrangement, commands attention as he delivers his pivotal sermon, surrounded by listeners displaying varied reactions-from skepticism to profound conversion.

Dating from the period 1595-1605, this work demonstrates the enduring commercial and artistic appeal of Raphael’s classical style long after his lifetime. The magnificent scale and exquisite craftsmanship of this textile solidified its value as a luxury commodity among European royalty and nobility. It is currently held in the esteemed textile collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Due to the widespread influence of the original commission, related compositional studies and prints of these foundational designs are frequently found in public domain collections globally, reinforcing the iconic status of the scenes from the Life of Saint Paul.