It's Saint Stephen's Day- Where's Rembrandt?

Where's Rembrandt? There he is, right above St. Stephen's head in this close-up of Rembrandt's painting The Stoning of St. Stephen, shown below.

Saul (later to become Paul) is depicted on his horse to the left as St. Stephen is stoned by the angry mob.

Today, December 26th, is celebrated in the Western Christian Church as St. Stephen's Day or Feast of St. Stephen. It is a celebration of St. Stephen-the first Christian martyr. He was a deacon who was put on trial after being accused of blasphemy against Moses and God. He was taken to the outskirts of town by an angry mob led by Saul of Tarsus, who would later become the Apostle Paul. Under Saul's persuasion, the infuriated mob stoned St. Stephen to death creating the Protomartyr. Over the years, I have heard of St. Stephen...his name is on many Churches and there is even a town in South Carolina bearing his name, but I never really knew the reason for his celebration. He is the Patron Saint of stone masons, coffin builders, widows (whom he served as a deacon), horses, and is also the Patron Saint against headaches.

The Stoning of Saint Stephen (shown above) is a painting by the famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt. Identified in 1780, it is not considered a great work of art, but is of importance because it is Rembrandt's earliest known dated painting, done when he was probably 18 or 19 years old. This wooden panel painting lay in a storage room in the French Museum of Lyons and was attributed only to the "school" of Rembrandt, probably due to it's skill level. Eventually, two Dutch scholars took matters into their own hands, suspecting Rembrandt to be it's true author. They simply had a corner cleaned and revealed the monogram of Rembrandt and a date of 1625. This painting has another first: possibly the first self-portrait of the artist. If you look directly above St. Stephen's head you will see him in all his "Where's Waldo" mode...it's young Rembrandt. Rembrandt would complete apx. 90 self portraits during his life time and his face appears in at least 5 works as a spectator or participant of the action. It has been suggested that Rembrandt's face in the St. Stephen painting serves as a element of disapproval as he is taken aback by what is occurring. But Rembrandt's appearance in his many paintings is not to be taken as a sign of an over active vanity as he had a merciless and very penetrating view of himself. In his quest for understanding of mankind, he found it necessary to begin with his own soul searching and honest portrayal of his likeness. His self portraits presented himself without vanity and with utmost sincerity (a characteristic easily "fudged" in paintings- the original Photoshop).

Rembrandt's "stoning" painting also demonstrates the technique of chiaroscuro which is an Italian term meaning light/dark. The artist uses the interplay of light and shadow to create a mysterious depth. In this painting, Saul is in the dark while the martyr, St. Stephen, is in the light. Chiaroscuro continues to be used today, even in cinema. Look at images from the Stanley Kubrick movie, Barry Lyndon, for an excellent example. In fact, Kubrick used this technique in all his films.

Rembrandt's Self Portrait With A Cap With Eyes Wide Open sketched in 1630, when he was about 24. An honest portrayal of his likeness.

A painting of St. Stephen done on a Demidoff altar piece by Carlo Crivelli. Notice St. Stephen's Saint attributes (symbols used by an artist to let the viewer know who he is looking at)-the three stones on his head and the palm of martyrdom.