Beheading of Saint John the Baptist n.d.

This drawing, made by an anonymous artist with pen and brown ink, and gray wash on cream laid paper, depicts the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. The artist uses traditional materials, but in a manner that is more like a rapid sketch than a finished painting. The sketchiness of the drawing invites us to consider the process of its making. We can see the artist working out the composition, the architectural setting and the figures arranged within it. The washes of gray ink add depth and shadow, but the lines are left raw, revealing the artist’s hand and the speed of the work. The image portrays a stark social reality. It is a scene of power and violence, capturing a moment of execution. By emphasizing the material qualities and the process of the drawing, we can appreciate how the artist brings together observation, imagination, and skilled handwork. This challenges distinctions between fine art and craft, allowing us to engage with the artwork in a more complete way.