The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist 1617

This drawing, *The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist* (1617), by Hans Stutte depicts the moment John the Baptist’s severed head is presented to Salome. The drawing is done in brown ink and wash, and captures the dramatic moment in a dynamic composition. The executioner is shown in the center, holding John’s head aloft, while Salome, to the left, receives it on a platter. The drawing has a sketch-like quality, with quick, gestural lines that convey movement and energy. This artwork is a study of the well-known biblical narrative, highlighting a dramatic moment of the story.