Steniging van Stefanus c. 1711s

This is Willem de Broen’s engraving of ‘The Stoning of Stephen’. The composition is dominated by stark contrasts of light and shadow, directing our gaze through a landscape populated by figures in the foreground and a cityscape in the distance. The artist uses line and form to convey the drama of the scene. The clustered figures, frozen in their act of violence, create a dense, almost claustrophobic space. The sharp, angular lines of the stones and the contorted bodies contribute to the sense of chaos and brutality. Above this earthly struggle, the heavens open, casting light on Stephen. This divine light offers a counterpoint to the darkness below. De Broen employs a structured visual language, inviting us to contemplate not just the narrative, but the broader themes of faith, martyrdom, and the duality of human existence. The engraving prompts us to consider the interplay between earthly and divine realms, the weight of human actions, and the potential for transcendence amidst violence.