1470
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Stoning of Saint Stephen is a 1470 ink by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a chaotic scene of people throwing rocks at a man on the ground. Around them, others are either praying or watching. In the background, a walled city with towers and spires sits quietly. The lines are sharp, and the figures look twisted and tense. The man being stoned is likely the central figure—his body is stretched out, and his hands are raised. The artist used lots of small lines to build up dark areas, making the figures stand out. Try looking up engraving to see how this technique works.
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
See the richer artist page
