The Martyrdom of St. Stephen – (Rembrandt Van Rijn) Previous Next


Artist:

Style: Dutch Golden Age

Topic: Religious Saints

Technique: Oil

The Stoning of Saint Stephen is the first painting by Dutch artist Rembrandt, painted in 1625 at the age of 19. It is currently kept in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. This work is inspired by the martyrdom of Saint Stephen which is recounted in Acts 7. This young deacon in the Christian community of Jerusalem was sentenced to death by stoning under the leadership of Saul of Tarsus, before this one was converted to Christianity and became the apostle Paul. The painting was influenced by the art of Caravaggio and Adam Elsheimer. It represents the moment when Stephen was stoned outside the city by his many tormentors (about twenty characters), and he utters his last words to Christ as the light around him shows that the heavens are open.

This artwork is in the public domain.

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