The Stoning of Saint Stephen
Joseph Ignace François Parrocel
1742
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Joseph Ignace François Parrocel
1742
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch is packed with swirling bodies in the air and on the ground. A crowd of people—some standing, some kneeling, others flying—surrounds a central figure being attacked with rocks. The scene is chaotic, with arms and legs tangled up, and a few people on a raised platform watching. The whole thing looks like it’s happening in a stormy sky, with clouds and a dark, dramatic background. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement and emotion, almost like a rough draft of a bigger, more detailed painting. The ink is layered, with darker shadows adding depth to the figures. If you like this kind of dramatic, busy scene, check out the Baroque movement next.
