Stoning of Stephen (Damaskinos)

The painting is egg tempera and gold leaf on wood. The painting is huge, it measures over five feet tall. The dimensions are 165.5 cm (65.2 in) x 97.5 cm (38.4 in) it was completed towards the end of the 16th century while the painter was in Crete. The painting follows the traditional maniera greca influenced by Venetian painting. The painter employs the Italian Renaissance cangiante style.[5]

Stephen is the central figure. Similar to both the Romano and Tintoretto. He stands in the foreground. His facial expression relays a message of sorrow. Both Romano and Damaskinos capture this moment similarly. Damaskinos elegantly accentuates the striations and folds of fabric. Stephen is wearing elaborate jewelry around his collar. He is also depicted with a halo. A bright red decorated stole overlaps his torso. To his right or our left, a man holding a stone appears with a detailed expression on his face. His forehead and his body demonstrate the painter's ability to use colors, lines, and shadows to present his figures. Under the man lies an ornate shield depicting the lion of Venice. Damaskinos is blending first-century attire with clothing and objects prevalent during his lifetime. Three figures are throwing stones.

In the middle ground, a man sits observing the event. He was a high-ranking Roman soldier. The event followed a speedy trial based on the laws and customs of the time. Stephen did not have a trial like Jesus. The Roman soldier's armor is elaborately decorated. Once again, Damaskinos is mixing first-century attire with clothing prevalent during his lifetime. The Roman soldier wears the same armor in Damaskinos's Beheading of John the Baptist. The same character is in both paintings. Both paintings were created around the same period.

The Virgin Mary and Apostles sit to the right of the Roman soldier. A unique building also lies behind the Roman soldier. In the Damaskinos parts of the painting were lost with time. Luckily, Philotheos Skoufos painted an identical version during the 1600s. There was also a city in the background. At the top of the painting, Jesus lies waiting for his disciple. He holds a book in his left hand representing the new testament. Angles are dispatched to go collect Saint Stephen the protomartyr.

There are four remaining works that are very similar to the original created between 1640-1707. The works were finished by three famous Greek painters. Philotheos Skoufos finished two versions of the original between 1640-1685. One of his versions is in good condition it is located at the Metsovo Folk Art Museum in Metsovo, Ioannina, Greece. The second version is slightly damaged it is located in the Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa in Corfu.[6] It is on the same island as the original. Victor finished a copy of the work around the same period as Skoufos. The painting is housed at the Byzantine and Christian Museum.[7] The final version is part of the Kalliga Collection in Greece. The icon was completed by Stephanos Tzangarolas in 1707.[8]

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  Stoning of Stefano Skoufos
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  Beheading of John the Baptist
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  Stoning of Stefano (Romano)
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  Stoning of Stefano Tintoretto