Het hoofd van Johannes de Doper of van Goliath 1483 - 1487

This small drawing depicts a severed head, possibly of John the Baptist or Goliath, rendered by the Master of the Amsterdam Cabinet. The closed eyes and disheveled hair evoke a potent mix of sorrow and finality. Severed heads as trophies date back to antiquity, as seen in the story of Medusa. This image connects to the story of John the Baptist, beheaded at Herod's order, or Goliath, slain by David. These biblical narratives elevate the severed head into a symbol of martyrdom and triumph over adversity. Across cultures, the head is often seen as the locus of power and identity. The motif of the severed head triggers deep-seated psychological responses, acting as a potent symbol of violence, sacrifice, and the ultimate loss of control. This image stirs primal emotions, reminding us of our own mortality and the fragility of life. It is a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of history, how symbols of power and violence reappear, continually reinterpreted across time.