Public domain
The beheading of St John the Baptist
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
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.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineDe onthoofding van Johannes de Doper. 1640. Rembrandt van Rijn. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
