Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

This Hispano-Flemish panel was produced by Miguel Jiménez in the last quarter of the 15th century, and formed part of a five-panel altarpiece in the Church of San Pablo in Zaragoza. Four of the panels depict saints seated on thrones, two on the left and two on the right: Saint Peter of Verona (martyr); Saint Bartholomew (an apostle); Saint Stephen (the first martyr); and Saint Dominic de Guzmán. Saint Stephen, a deacon and the first martyr, appears seated on a raised ceremonial chair decorated with various moldings and flowers, echoing the roses on the rosary beads in the panel of the Virgin Mary. This depiction shows him praying, without a beard and with a wide clerical tonsure (shaved patch) and a stone on his head—a symbol of his martyrdom by stoning. A decorative border at the top of the panel with motifs of plants and flowers imitates brocade. This can also be seen in the companion panels of Saint Bartholomew and Our Lady of the Rosary.