Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist c. 17th century

This 17th-century drawing by Francesco Allegrini depicts the Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist. The composition features five figures, capturing a moment of dramatic action. Two figures in the foreground hold swords, while the kneeling figure of Saint John, bound and blindfolded, awaits his execution. Two additional figures observe the scene. The artist's use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and movement, giving a glimpse into the dramatic and tragic story of Saint John the Baptist. The drawing, housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a study in the artist's use of line and composition.