The Stoning of Saint Stephen c. 1470

Israhel van Meckenem's engraving captures the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, depicting a scene of brutal stoning outside a city's walls. Stephen kneels in prayer, a pose echoing countless images of supplication across cultures. Yet, what resonates deeply is the act of stoning itself, stones raised, and faces contorted in violent action. Consider the stone—a primal tool of aggression. From ancient votive offerings to the pebbles children skip across water, the stone bears witness to human history. Here, it is weaponized, laden with collective rage. The stoning motif reappears in art across centuries, each iteration echoing humanity’s capacity for brutality and the cyclical nature of persecution. Think of the emotional release, the catharsis, perhaps, that the mob finds in this act. It is an act that engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, forcing us to confront uncomfortable aspects of our shared past. The symbol resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.