Beheading of John the Baptist as Salome looks on, by Rubens (1609, c.)

Rubens_-_beheading-of-st-john-the-baptist-1610.jpg

Title

Beheading of John the Baptist as Salome looks on, by Rubens (1609, c.)

Creator

Rubens, Peter Paul (1577-1640)

Date

1609, c.

Description

This painting represents the biblical scene when Salome receives the decapitated head of Saint John the Baptist. In this representation, Salomé appears on the right surrounded by other characters, such as an older woman holding the tray where Saint John's head is, a young woman in the background who watches the scene, a young man with a sword, lying on the ground and beneath this young man, the decapitated body of Saint John the Baptist, and a couple of older men in the background. The main characters in the painting (the young woman, the old woman and the young man) are reminiscent of paintings with Celestinesque themes.

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

Format

Oil on panel.
Dimensions: 94 × 101 cm

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