Who painted Saint Stephen in the Synagogue?

Saint Stephen in the Synagogue was painted by Juan de Juanes in 1555.

Where can I see Saint Stephen in the Synagogue?

Saint Stephen in the Synagogue is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Saint Stephen in the Synagogue?

Saint Stephen in the Synagogue is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Saint Stephen in the Synagogue?

Museum-quality prints of Saint Stephen in the Synagogue are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Saint Stephen in the Synagogue

Juan de Juanes , 1555

Saint Stephen in the Synagogue is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Juan de Juanes. It dates from 1555 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work captures the moment of Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin, a key episode in his hagiography where he is accused of blasphemy.

Juan de Juanes's Saint Stephen in the Synagogue is a religious painting that depicts the martyr Saint Stephen holding a book. The work captures the moment of Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin, a key episode in his hagiography where he is accused of blasphemy. As a religious artwork, it serves to illustrate the saint's theological arguments and his subsequent martyrdom, emphasizing his role as the first Christian martyr.

The inclusion of the book symbolizes his knowledge of scripture and his role as a deacon and preacher.

Technique & Style

Saint Stephen in the Synagogue by Juan de Juanes is executed in oil paint on panel, a technique characteristic of mid-sixteenth-century Spanish religious painting. The work measures 160 cm in height by 123 cm in width, a substantial vertical format suited to its devotional function. The support is a wooden panel rather than canvas, consistent with Juanes's practice and the period.

The painting belongs to the religious genre and depicts Saint Stephen alongside a book, rendered in oil on panel.

No additional information on condition, handling, or specific stylistic qualities is documented in the available sources.

History & Provenance

Juan de Juanes created the oil-on-panel painting Saint Stephen in the Synagogue in 1555. While some records suggest an inception date of 1562, the work is canonically dated to 1555. The piece was later owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

The painting Saint Stephen in the Synagogue by Juan de Juanes is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Created in 1555, the work was executed in oil on panel and measures 160 cm in height by 123 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the piece was once owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain before entering the museum's holdings. The provided sources do not contain specific inventory numbers or a list of exhibitions for this artwork.

Overview

Created in 1555 by the Spanish painter Vicente Juan Masip, known as Juan de Juanes, this oil on canvas portrays a biblical episode involving Saint Stephen. Executed during the height of the Spanish Renaissance, the work exemplifies the artist’s role within the Valencian school and is presently housed in Madrid’s Museo del Prado.

Context

The work reflects the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on saintly exemplars and the didactic function of religious art. By situating Stephen within a Jewish synagogue, Juanes underscores themes of dialogue and conflict between early Christianity and Judaism, a subject resonant with contemporary theological debates in mid‑sixteenth‑century Spain.