The Stoning of Saint Stephen c. 17th century

Samuel van Hoogstraten rendered “The Stoning of Saint Stephen” in ink on paper, sometime in the mid-17th century. The lightness of the support allows the artist to create a complex composition, seemingly effortlessly. Yet, the very choice of medium speaks volumes. Ink on paper is, relatively speaking, cheap and quick. It is the medium of the sketch, not the fully worked painting. This gives the artwork a sense of immediacy, as if we are witnessing the event unfold in real time. The scene itself depicts a moment of social and religious turmoil. The use of readily available materials, combined with the swiftness of the artistic process, suggests a desire to capture not just the historical event, but perhaps also the urgency and roughness of the moment. Van Hoogstraten’s choice reflects a desire to engage with the raw and unfiltered realities of his time, highlighting the labor, violence, and fervor embedded in the social fabric.