- The “Mays” of Notre-Dame
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit
- Saint Peter Healing the Sick with His Shadow
- The Conversion of saint Paul
- The Centurion Cornelius at the Feet of Saint Peter
- The Preaching of Saint Peter in Jerusalem
- The Crucifixion of Saint Peter
- The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew
- The Stoning of Saint Stephen
- The Predictions of the prophet Agabus to Saint Paul
- The Visitation
- Saint Thomas Aquinas, Fountain of Wisdom
Saint Stephen
Stephen, or Saint Stephen, was a learned preacher known for his articulate speeches. He was condemned to death by stoning in Jerusalem for blasphemy, making him the first Christian martyr after the death of Christ. His faith led to the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, later known as Saint Paul.
In the Scriptures
In Chapter 6 of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke presents Stephen as a Hellenistic Jew converted to Christianity. Chosen by the Apostles, Stephen was full of God’s grace and power, performing great wonders and signs among the people (verse 8). He gained everyone’s admiration.
One day, some Jews falsely accused him of blasphemy and conspiracy against the Law. They brought him before the high priest’s tribunal, the Sanhedrin. There, inspired by the Lord, Stephen proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ended his speech with: “You stiff-necked people, your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him” (verses 51 and 52).
Hearing this, they were furious. Stephen looked up to heaven and declared: “Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this, they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul (verses 56 to 58). While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep (verses 59 and 60).
The Painting
The painting captures the moment when Stephen is dragged out of the city of Jerusalem. His martyrdom is believed to have occurred at the Damascus Gate. He is depicted lying on the ground with his arms outstretched, being stoned by his executioners while another group looks on. The young Saul, who later becomes Paul, is also present, referring to Saul of Tarsus converted on the road to Damascus as depicted in The Conversion of Saint Paul from 1637. In the sky, angels carry God the Father and Christ, who bears his cross and extends his hand towards the young martyr who gazes at him.
Charles Le Brun (1619-1690)
Charles Le Brun received the commission for this May in 1647. However, by the time he painted this tableau in 1651, he had already established a solid reputation. Thanks to Cardinal Mazarin, he had just entered the service of Louis XIV after founding the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1648. The painting is located in the chapel of Saint Eloi, the patron saint of goldsmiths, whose corporation financed the Mays of Notre-Dame. Thus, they honor both the first Christian martyr and the illustrious artist of the king.
