The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen

The artwork titled The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen is a painting by Juan de Juanes, created in 1562. This oil on wood panel painting, housed in the Museo del Prado, measures 1.6 meters in height and 1.23 meters in width.

The painting depicts the brutal stoning of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen, kneeling in the foreground, calmly accepts his fate with an expression of peace and an upward gaze. His tormentors, clad in simple loincloths, surround him with enraged expressions as they hurl stones. The artist masterfully uses light and shadow to highlight the contrast between the saint's serenity and the brutality of the act. A stormy landscape with a distant city in the background further emphasizes the drama and significance of the event.