Stoning of St. Stephen – Carracci

This artwork by Carracci shows Saint Stephen, deacon and First Martyr of the Church, being stoned to death outside the City of Jerusalem. Saul, the future Saint Paul, sits beneath a tree on the right side of the painting, beside a pile of the executioners' cloaks. St. Stephen kneels with folded hands, looking at an angel who holds the palm of martyrdom, and at Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.