St. Stephen before the high priest and the council 1575

This print, entitled "St. Stephen before the high priest and the council," was created by Philips Galle in 1575. It depicts a scene from the New Testament in which Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, for his preaching. The print is a fine example of Northern Renaissance art, showing Galle's mastery of detail and his understanding of both religious history and the visual arts. The central focus is on Stephen, surrounded by his accusers and guards. The artist emphasizes the drama of the scene, as Stephen's calm composure is juxtaposed with the angry faces of the accusers. The image is rich with symbolism. For example, the city in the background is likely Jerusalem, and the guards' weapons and armor reflect the power of the Sanhedrin. The image also shows a dog, which is a symbol of faithfulness and loyalty, in the foreground, which can be interpreted as a symbol of Stephen’s steadfast faith. The print is currently housed in the Statens Museum for Kunst in Denmark, where it can be appreciated by art lovers and scholars.