French, Lorraine, first half 14th century

L.P. Bresset et Fils, Paris, March 11, 2005

St. Stephen, who was one of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles to minister to the early followers of Christianity, is revered as the first martyr of the religion. He was accused of blasphemy by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem and was stoned to death; the stones of St. Stephen’s martyrdom appear in this sculpture on the proper right side of his head.

The present limestone carving of the saint shares facial features with other figures from the Lorraine region, including a broad, squarish face with a brow framed by curly hair, eyes underscored by half-moons which are buttressed by high cheek bones, and a diminutive mouth.

The deep hollows in the vertical folds of the drapery, which break at the bottom of figure, near the base, also share similarities with the drapery of an early 14th century Virgin and Child from Lorraine in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. no. 17.120.256).