Title-border with Beheading of S. John the Baptist c. 16th century

Curator: This is a title-border with the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, created by Ambrosius Holbein. It currently resides in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Wow, what a piece! The contrast is so stark, and the detail in the border is wild. The beheading scene at the bottom is unexpectedly unsettling. Curator: Indeed. The intricate ornamental elements surrounding the text are typical of the period, framing the classical texts beautifully. The image of the beheading, though small, adds a dramatic, even political, dimension. Editor: It’s like a miniature stage for a brutal drama, contrasting sharply with the ornate, almost playful, details around it. The combination is fascinating, and a little disturbing. Curator: The piece really speaks to the era's interest in blending classical learning with religious narratives, and the role of such imagery in public life. Editor: Makes you think about how they faced mortality back then, doesn’t it? It’s a chilling, elegant artifact.