Beheading of Saint John the Baptist 16th-17th century

Curator: Hendrick Goudt, born in 1580, created this engraving, "Beheading of Saint John the Baptist," sometime before his death in 1648. Editor: It's claustrophobic, isn’t it? The oval frame and dense hatching just trap you in this dreadful moment. Curator: Consider the period. Religious subjects, especially martyrdom, were often depicted to evoke strong emotional responses, reinforcing religious doctrine and obedience to authority. Editor: Obey or lose your head, literally. But look how Goudt renders the executioner almost as a bystander, and Salome... detached, clinical. Curator: It certainly presents a stark vision of power dynamics and justice within the religious and political landscape of his time. Editor: I think Goudt captures the cold mechanics of injustice... makes you wonder what he thought about it all. A powerful, unsettling little thing. Curator: Indeed, a piece that continues to provoke thought on faith, power, and the human condition.