Seven Scenes from the Legend of St. Stephen

This panel depicting seven scenes from the legend of Saint Stephen by Martino di Bartolomeo, now in the Stadel Museum, represents the narrative painting tradition that flourished in late Trecento Siena. Martino, active from the 1380s through the 1430s, worked at the intersection of the Sienese Gothic tradition and the emerging International Gothic style. Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was venerated across medieval Europe, and his dramatic story of preaching, trial, and stoning offered rich material for narrative painting.

Painted in egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, the seven scenes are arranged in a sequential narrative format with architectural and landscape settings dividing the episodes. Martino's style features elegant figural proportions and carefully observed architectural details, with rich color harmonies set against gilded backgrounds.