The Beheading of John the Baptist, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1640
etching, h 127mm × w 102mm More details
John the Baptist, one of the proclaimers of the coming of the Messiah, was venerated by the people as a prophet. He was imprisoned when he publicly criticized King Herod’s incestuous marriage. At Herod’s birthday banquet, the king’s daughter Salome danced so beautifully that he granted her a wish. She asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. And so it came to pass.
