Final answer:
Caravaggio used the technique of tenebrism in 'The Conversion of Saint Paul to create depth and make the figures appear to project into the viewer's space through stark contrasts of light and shadow.
Step-by-step explanation:
In The Conversion of Saint Paul, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio utilized a dramatic technique known as tenebrism, which involves a stark contrast between light and dark to achieve a pronounced effect of depth and volume. This method allows for a compelling depiction of figures as if they are emerging from deep shadows into the viewer’s space. Caravaggio masterfully painted the figure of Saul with reflective light patches that define his form, while the surrounding darkness pushes other elements into the background, achieving an almost three-dimensional effect and drawing the viewer into the dramatic moment of the conversion.