De onthoofding van Johannes de Doper 1511 - 1515

Lucas van Leyden's "De onthoofding van Johannes de Doper" (The Beheading of John the Baptist) is a masterful engraving from 1511-1515 that depicts the dramatic moment of John the Baptist's execution. The composition, focused on the figures, is a stark and compelling tableau of death and faith. The executioner presents the head of John the Baptist on a platter to a woman, while the figure of John is rendered in a moment of agony. The work is known for its exceptional detail and dramatic use of light and shadow. The engraving was very popular and was reproduced many times, making it a key work in the Northern Renaissance's exploration of biblical narratives.