Arkivism
The stoning of St Stephen
Public domain

The stoning of St Stephen

Rembrandt van Rijn · 1635 · etching; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

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.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
print
Credit lineDe steniging van Stephanus. 1635. Rembrandt van Rijn. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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