Public domain
Head of John the Baptist
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
At the request of his stepdaughter Salome, Herod ordered the beheading of John the Baptist. She was given his head on a platter. This macabre theme – often called Johannes in disco (John on a plate) – is represented here. The platter, however, is missing. The deathly pale alabaster, the open mouth and tongue and the deep-set eye sockets reinforce the harsh realism.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineHead of John the Baptist. c. 1500 - c. 1560. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
