Saint Stephen in the synagogue 1562

Vicente Juan Masip painted Saint Stephen in the Synagogue in oil on panel sometime in the mid-sixteenth century. Masip imagines the saint standing before a group of learned men, perhaps Pharisees. This work reflects the social context of its time, where religious and intellectual debates were often fraught with tension. Saint Stephen, known for his eloquent defense of his faith, challenges the established views of the synagogue elders. The architecture in the background, complete with an obelisk, blends classical and local elements. This suggests a world where ancient traditions intersect with contemporary culture. The artist seems to be asking: What is the place of faith in a changing world? What is the relationship between tradition and progress? The answers could be found by researching religious life in sixteenth-century Spain and the intellectual debates that took place at the time.