Final answer:
In Caravaggio's The Conversion of St. Paul, Saul's pose with outstretched arms closely echoes Jesus on the cross, symbolizing a moment of spiritual import and embodying physical extension akin to the kind seen in religious art, particularly within the Western tradition.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Caravaggio's The Conversion of St. Paul, Saul's dramatic fall and outstretched arms indeed seem to resonate with the depiction of sacred figures in art history. While the pose of Saul on the ground with hands reaching outward might suggest various parallels, considering the narrative of conversion and divine intervention, it is accurate to say that his pose most closely echoes Jesus on the cross. This is evident as both figures exemplify a moment of intense spiritual significance and physical stress, captured by Caravaggio and symbolized by outstretched arms in Western art iconography. The figure Adam in Michelangelo's Creation of Adam is depicted with an outstretched arm as well, but in a different context, aiming for the divine touch. Comparatively, David in Michelangelo's David and Moses in Michelangelo's Moses do not serve as immediate visual references for Saul's posture in Caravaggio's renowned picture.