Pesaro Altarpiece (predella) 1474

Giovanni Bellini's "Pesaro Altarpiece (predella)" (1474) depicts a scene of the martyrdom of St. Stephen. The predella, a small panel, is part of a larger altarpiece originally commissioned for the church of San Francesco in Pesaro. This detail showcases a powerful moment where a fallen knight, likely Stephen, is trampled by a horse as another rider looks on. The scene is set against a dramatic sky, hinting at the divine intervention in Stephen's martyrdom. Bellini's attention to detail and use of light bring realism to the scene, creating a vivid and poignant depiction of the event.