The Coronation of St Stephen 1597

"The Coronation of St Stephen" (1597), a small-scale oil on canvas by Annibale Carracci, depicts the Hungarian King Stephen kneeling in prayer, receiving a crown from an angel above. The scene is set against a luminous sky filled with clouds, an artistic choice typical of the Baroque era. The composition, with its dramatic interplay of light and shadow, emphasizes the divine intervention in Stephen's coronation. The artist's meticulous attention to detail and naturalistic depiction of the figures are hallmarks of Carracci's artistic style. The painting, now in a private collection, showcases the master's ability to imbue religious scenes with both solemnity and dramatic impact.