Gospel in Art: The beheading of John the Baptist

Salome with head of St John the Baptist by Andrea Solari © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 30 July 2022
Matthew 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus, and said to his court, 'This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'

Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John had told him, 'It is against the Law for you to have her.' He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. Then, during the celebrations for Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, 'Give me John the Baptist's head, here, on a dish.' The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. John's disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.

Reflection on the painting

This is quite a gruesome painting we are looking at today. We see Salome painted with idealised beauty, clothed in expensive silks, velvets and wearing opulent jewellery. She is holding the bowl, filled with St John the Baptist's blood. His head is held aloft by the hand of the executioner. We don't see the executioner's head, just his arm. Whilst the executioner killed him, it was Salome who asked for the murder to take place. The biblical story of Salome seductively dancing for King Herod and thereafter demanding as her reward the head of John the Baptist, has been a long fascination for artists throughout art history. Our painting captures the moment when the executioner places St John's head onto a charger held by Salome. Although she got exactly what she asked for, she doesn't look happy. The contrast between her strikingly beautiful but unhappy face and the head of St John, dead but at peace, makes this whole painting very dramatic.

The beheading of St John the Baptist happened on Herod's birthday. Yet we remember this day not as Herod's birthday, but as the day that on which the Lord's forerunner and herald was killed. With this episode, Herod established his name forever in the minds of people as a weak and evil man. The striking thing about this passage is that Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a good and holy man. Even so, he killed him with great cruelty. Why? The worldly desires, perhaps the alcohol at the party and seductiveness of Salome swayed Herod in no time to demand the execution. In one moment of madness, he made John the symbol for all those martyred subsequently for their faith in Jesus Christ…

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-14-1-12-2022/