St Paul and the Viper (detail), Mural, Canterbury Cathedral, by English School (c. 1180)
St Paul is remembered as a great missionary, who after his conversion preached throughout Asia Minor and as far west as Rome and Malta. This wall painting, which once decorated Canterbury Cathedral, recalls an incident recounted in Acts 28:1-6. Paul had been arrested and was on his way to Rome, where he was to be tried. During the voyage he and his companions were ship-wrecked on the island of Malta. The islanders prepared a fire against the rain and cold. As Paul leaned forward to warm himself, a snake attached itself to his arm. He shook the snake off his arm into the fire much to the amazement of the crowd. Who could this man be who emerged unharmed from encountering a snake? Only a God the islanders believed could enable a man to resist such an enemy. Paul remained among the people for some time, curing many of illnesses. This scene from the life of St Paul is all that remains in a chapel originally dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. The painting gives a tantalising glimpse of the brilliant medieval wall paintings that once decorated the interiors of English cathedrals and churches.
Related Links
- VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Download the 2015 Art Guide (PDF) Resource
- Watch/Listen to the complete 2015 Art Guide