Conversion of St. William of Maleval by St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Executed in oil, the painting employs the dramatic chiaroscuro and dynamic movement typical of the Flemish Baroque. Schut’s brushwork renders muscular figures and fluttering cherubs with a sense of immediacy, while a muted, cloud‑filled sky provides a somber backdrop that heightens the emotional intensity.

Created in Antwerp, the work reflects Schut’s likely apprenticeship under Peter Paul Rubens, whose influence is evident in the robust anatomy and theatrical composition. After its completion, the canvas entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains accessible to scholars and visitors.

The painting aligns with the Counter‑Reformation’s emphasis on vivid, didactic imagery that encouraged piety. By depicting a renowned saint effecting the conversion of a hermit, Schut contributes to a visual tradition that linked miraculous intervention with the authority of the Church.