The Stoning of Saint Stephen

This May offered by the Brotherhood of Goldsmiths to Notre-Dame in 1651 was painted by Charles Le Brun. It represents the martyrdom of Saint Stephen as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Charles Le Brun received the commissioned for this May in 1647. However, when he painted this picture in 1651, he had already solidified his reputation as a prolific painter. Thanks to Mazarin, Le Brun had entered the service of King Louis XIV after having founded the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1648. The painting hung in the chapel of Saint Eloi, patron saint of goldsmiths.