Who painted Paul before Félix (Large Plate)?

Paul before Félix (Large Plate) was painted by William Hogarth in 1752.

Where can I see Paul before Félix (Large Plate)?

Paul before Félix (Large Plate) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Paul before Félix (Large Plate)?

Paul before Félix (Large Plate) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Paul before Félix (Large Plate)

William Hogarth , 1752

Paul before Félix (Large Plate) is a print by the Romanticist artist William Hogarth. It dates from 1752 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

William Hogarth’s 1752 engraving titled *Paul before Félix (Large Plate)* portrays a moment from the Acts of the Apostles in which the Apostle Paul stands before the Roman governor Felix. Executed as a large copper plate print, the composition gathers a crowded assembly of figures in period dress, set against a sky filled with turbulent clouds that heighten the scene’s tension.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures the biblical trial of Paul, emphasizing the contrast between the apostle’s open‑handed appeal and the authority of the seated magistrate. Surrounding onlookers display a range of emotions—anxiety, anger, curiosity—suggesting the broader social stakes of religious dissent and the precariousness of justice in a Roman courtroom.

Technique & Style

Hogarth employs chiaroscuro, using stark light and deep shadow to model faces and drapery, thereby intensifying the drama. The engraving’s fine line work delineates intricate costumes and architectural details, while the swirling clouds in the background contribute a theatrical atmosphere characteristic of Hogarth’s narrative approach.

History & Provenance

Created during Hogford’s mature period, the print reflects his training in London’s lower‑middle‑class artistic circles, where he combined portraiture with moral storytelling. The plate was issued in a large format, intended for public consumption, and has since been catalogued among Hogarth’s series of biblical and historical subjects, remaining in several museum collections worldwide.