The Stoning of Saint Stephen c. 1470

"The Stoning of Saint Stephen," a 15th-century engraving by Israhel van Meckenem, depicts the biblical scene of Stephen's martyrdom. The print features a detailed composition with Stephen kneeling in prayer, his hands raised to heaven, as a group of figures hurl stones at him. In the background, a fortified city suggests the setting of Jerusalem. The intricate detail of the figures and the dramatic depiction of the scene are characteristic of van Meckenem's style, which blended Northern Renaissance realism with elements of Gothic art. This engraving, likely created for devotional purposes, exemplifies the popularity of religious imagery during the late Middle Ages.