Devout Men Carrying Saint Stephen to His Burial

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created between 1501 and 1550 by Philip Galle after a design by Maerten van Heemskerck, depicts the burial of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The scene captures a group of devout followers solemnly carrying the saint’s body, reflecting the biblical account in Acts 8:2. Van Heemskerck, a leading Dutch artist of the Northern Renaissance, infused his compositions with dramatic gestures and expressive detail, while Galle’s skilled engraving translated these elements into a reproducible print format. Prints like this played a vital role in 16th-century Europe, allowing religious stories to reach wide audiences beyond church walls. Engravings offered remarkable precision and fine line work, making complex narratives accessible to collectors and worshippers alike. Produced during a period of religious upheaval, this work underscores the enduring power of devotional imagery to inspire faith and remembrance. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s collection through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, the print exemplifies how collaborative efforts between designers and printmakers helped preserve and share sacred history across generations.

About the Artist

Philip Galle after Maerten van Heemskerck

**Philip Galle (1537–1612)** was a leading Dutch engraver, printmaker, and publisher of the late Renaissance, renowned for his reproductive engravings after prominent painters of his era, including Maerten van Heemskerck. Born in Haarlem, he trained under the humanist and engraver Dirck Volkertsz. Coornhert and began his career producing prints after local artists. Galle established himself as an...