The Martyrdom of St. Stephen, from The Nuremburg Chronicle, folio 103 1494

This woodcut illustrating the Martyrdom of St. Stephen comes from the Nuremberg Chronicle, a book published in Nuremberg in 1493. The Chronicle was a product of its time, a moment when the printing press was revolutionizing the spread of information. The book provided a history of the world, as understood through a Christian lens, and the woodcuts served to make the text more accessible. Here, we see Stephen kneeling piously, even as he's stoned to death. The composition reflects the religious and social values of the time, emphasizing devotion and sacrifice. Notice the men throwing stones, their faces contorted in rage, while an authority figure oversees the execution, holding garments. To fully understand this image, we might explore the history of Nuremberg, its printing industry, and the religious beliefs that shaped its culture. Art like this shows us how social context shapes not only the production of images, but also the stories they tell.