The Executioner with the Head of John the Baptist, by Dobson (1640, c.)

The Executioner with the Head of John the Baptist, by Dobson (1640, c.)

Dobson, William (1610-1646)

1640, c.

This painting by Dobson represents Salome receiving the decapitated head of Saint John the Baptist, according to the biblical scene. In this representation, Salomé appears on the right holding a tray, while a young man holds Saint John's head over the tray. To Salomé's right an older woman appears, and a child lights the scene up with a candle. This representation is reminiscent of images with Celestinesque themes, since a young woman, an older woman and a young man appear.

Iconclass code: 73C1334 http://www.iconclass.org/rkd/73C1334/
"Salome is given the head of John the Baptist by the executioner"

Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, UK.
https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/news/press-releases/baroque-art-rome-england

Accession number: WAG 2993

Wikimedia Commons:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Dobson_-_The_Executioner_with_the_Head_of_John_the_Baptist_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Archived in:
https://web.archive.org/web/20201223233901/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Dobson_-_The_Executioner_with_the_Head_of_John_the_Baptist_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Oil on canvas.
Dimensions: 110.5 × 30.2 cm