The Stoning of Saint Stephen

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Stoning of Saint*, a dramatic 1575 engraving by Cherub Alberti, with possible contributions from Carlo Losi and after a design by the Mannerist painter Rosso Fiorentino. This state of two, as cataloged by Adam Bch, measures 16 5/16 × 11 1/4 inches and captures the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, from the Acts of the Apostles. Surrounded by tormentors hurling stones, the saint gazes heavenward in a moment of transcendent faith, embodying themes of punishment and piety central to Counter-Reformation art. Alberti, a skilled Roman engraver trained in the Mannerist style, translated Rosso Fiorentino's dynamic composition into intricate lines, showcasing the era's elongated figures, emotional intensity, and complex spatial effects. Engravings like this were revolutionary for their reproducibility, allowing sacred scenes to reach wide audiences across Europe during a time of religious upheaval. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, it highlights the technical mastery of printmaking in 16th-century Italy. This print not only preserves a vivid episode of early Christian history but also exemplifies how art bridged painting and mass dissemination, inviting viewers to reflect on endurance amid suffering.

About the Artist

Cherubino Alberti (Zaccaria Mattia)|Carlo Losi|Rosso Fiorentino · 1553–1615

Cherubino Alberti (1553–1615), also known by his birth name Zaccaria Mattia, was an Italian engraver and painter active in Rome during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Born in Borgo San Sepolcro in Tuscany, he came from an artistically inclined family and received training that equipped him for work in both painting and the reproductive graphic arts. It was as a printmaker, however,...