The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

1610

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist is a 1610 by Hendrik Goudt, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Hendrik Goudt
When & what style?: 1610 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This etching shows a dark, crowded scene with a group of people gathered around a kneeling figure. One man holds a sword raised high, ready to strike. The figures are dressed in flowing robes and hats with big feathers, and their faces look tense. The background is mostly black, making the figures stand out sharply. Notice how the artist uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create drama. The sword’s gleam and the kneeling figure’s pale face draw your eye to the center of the action. Look up Baroque to see how this style used bold light and movement to tell intense stories.