Axial Commons Image Treasury
Engraving of a bearded robed man shaking a snake into a fire while onlookers react, in an arched frame with a dramatic cloudy sky.

Saint Paul shaking a viper into the fire on Malta

An engraved arched composition shows a standing bearded figure in a long robe, arm extended, shaking a small snake off his hand toward a fire at lower right. Onlookers gather around him, one kneeling at left, while a sea-tossed sky and a large draped curtain fill the background.

Artist
James Thornhill
Date
1791
Medium
Source
Wellcome Collection
Size
2567 × 4000 px
Download full size
Public domain · Wellcome Collection marks it Public Domain Mark; made by 1791.
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: Public Domain Mark (Wellcome Collection)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Wellcome Collection

The Sea and ShipsVolcanoes, Fire and Disasters18th century1790s1791engravingetchingbiblical scenerobed figuresfiresnakeshipwreckarched framesaint paul

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