Martyrdom of the Apostles: Martyrdom of Saints Simon and Judas

Stefan Lochner painted this Martyrdom of Saints Simon and Judas as part of his apostle cycle. The two apostles were traditionally martyred together in Persia, and their joint feast day (October 28) was widely observed. Lochner's pairing maintains the hagiographic tradition of their shared martyrdom. The tempera medium required careful preparation on a gessoed panel and a disciplined layering technique that produced precise, durable surfaces suited to the intricate detail expected of devotional painting.

Oil on panel depicting the joint martyrdom with Lochner's characteristic refinement and careful figure composition. The dual martyrdom scene is organized with the decorative balance typical of the Cologne school.