The Martyrdom of St Stephen 1576

Cornelis Cort's "The Martyrdom of St. Stephen" (1576) is a dramatic engraving depicting the biblical story of St. Stephen's death by stoning. The scene is filled with figures, each contributing to the narrative: Stephen kneels in the foreground as a mob throws stones at him, while above, God and Christ witness the event, highlighting the contrast between the violence of the earthly realm and the heavenly realm. Cort's detailed and expressive style, exemplified by the contorted figures and dramatic lighting, engages viewers in the emotional intensity of the scene.