How are these paintings by Baroque artists Caravaggio and Rubens similar? Two paintings side by side, Elevation of the Cross by Peter Paul Rubens and The Conversion of Saint Paul by Caravaggio Both artists depicted glowing figures that emerge from a dark background. Both artists depicted foreshortened figures that project into the viewer's space. Both artists used atmospheric perspective to create depth. Both artists used a natural light source to depict convincing space.