The Stoning of Saint Stephen

Hans Baldung Grien

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a group of figures engaged in a scene involving a central figure bound to a stake and four others surrounding. The scene features intricate line work and shading, characteristic of woodcut prints or early engravings. The setting shows a rural landscape in the background with simple foliage and scattered rocks and grass in the foreground. The characters are dressed in period clothing, indicating an older historical setting. The composition and posture of the figures suggest movement and tension, highlighted by detailed expressions and gestures.