St. Stephen the Martyr 1494

"St. Stephen the Martyr" is a 1494 painting by Domenico Ghirlandaio, one of the most important Florentine artists of the late Quattrocento. The painting depicts the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, clothed in the rich garb of a deacon, holding a book and stones, symbols of his martyrdom. The painting's exquisite detail and realistic portrayal of St. Stephen's garments, particularly the intricate folds and textures of his robe, highlight Ghirlandaio's mastery of Renaissance techniques. The work is housed in the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts, Hungary.