The Stoning of St Stephen

Stephen was appointed a deacon (spiritual servant) by the apostles. He preached and worked miracles, and is considered the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death for accusing the high priests of murdering the Messiah. Despite the print’s small format, Rembrandt succeeds in suggesting the sheer brutality of the drama. Besieged by various people throwing stones, Stephen has almost succumbed to the violence.