The Blinding of Elymas or The Conversion of the Proconsul
This seventh tapestry and the following two glorify the apostle Paul. The figures of the Apostle of the Gentiles and Elymas, a cunning man who tried to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith, are direct opposites. The imposing, serene figure of Paul, who holds out his arm to dictate the punishment (‘And now listen – the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while’) contrasts with the concern and fear conveyed by Elymas, a masterful depiction of blindness (‘Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand’) (Acts 13: 6−12).
The terrified proconsul seated on his throne in the centre is surrounded by figures stricken with dismay and amazement. At his feet, beneath the dais, is a tablet containing a Latin inscription: ‘L. SERGIVS PAVLLVS / ASIAE PROCCOS: / CHRISTIANAM FIDEM / AMPLECITVR. / SAVLI PREDICATIONE’ (Sergius Paulus, proconsul of Asia, embraced the Christian faith thanks to the preaching of Paul).
Borders: Depicted beneath each other in the symmetrical side borders are allegories of the cardinal virtues: Justice with a sword and scales; Prudence with two faces and a mirror; Fortitude wearing a helmet with a lion at her feet; and Temperance seated in profile holding reins and bits. The lower border displays seven moral virtues seated against a background decorated with garlands and winged sphinxes: Magnanimity with necklaces and chains in her right hand and an eagle on her forearm; Peace with an olive branch in an amphora being caressed by the lion beside her; Victory seated on a plinth adorned with war trophies holding a hooded falcon in her left hand and a pike in her gauntleted right hand; Hope with an anchor, a two-headed eagle and a book resting on her lap; Providence holding an armillary sphere in her right hand and a spear in her left; Caution with a mirror in her left hand that reflects the image of the fox in a friar’s habit on her lap; and Docility bearing scourges and a sceptre with a book on her knees.
Texts: Concha Herrero Carretero