The Stoning of Saint Stephen 1754

Johann Georg Dieffenbrunner’s 1754 watercolor, "The Stoning of Saint Stephen," depicts the biblical account of the martyrdom of the first Christian deacon. Stephen, kneeling in the lower center of the composition, is being stoned to death by a group of men. Above him, a heavenly light shines as Jesus Christ, carrying a cross, welcomes Stephen into heaven, accompanied by angels. The dramatic scene, rendered in vibrant colors and dynamic figures, was likely created as a preparatory sketch for a larger, more formal work of art. The piece exemplifies the Baroque artistic style, which emphasized movement and theatricality in its depiction of religious narratives.