The Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist
The Met
Artist: Bernard van Orley(Netherlandish, Brussels ca. 1492–1541/42 Brussels)
Date: ca. 1514–15
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 25 1/2 x 29 1/4 in. (64.8 x 74.3 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of Hester Diamond, in honor of Maryan Ainsworth, 2020
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A man presents a severed head on a platter to two women, with a headless body nearby
Detailed Description
A multi-figure scene is set within an architectural environment. In the foreground, to the left, a man in a blue tunic and green hose stands with a sword over a prone, headless body draped in red fabric. The wrists of the body are bound with chains, and a small pool of red liquid is visible near the neck. In the center, another man, similarly dressed in blue and green, holds a severed head by its hair over a silver platter. Two women stand to his right; one in a blue gown and white veil holds the platter, while the other in a red gown and white veil stands beside her, looking at the head. Both women have fair skin and light hair. To the far right in the foreground, two men in elaborate, patterned yellow, green, and red clothing walk towards the left. One carries a round, white object resembling a shield on his back. A brown, cat-like sculpture sits on a stone pedestal in the lower right corner. In the background, to the left, an arched doorway opens to a distant landscape featuring a burning structure with rising smoke and small figures. To the right, an elevated platform with a banquet scene is visible. Several figures, including men with beards and women in colorful attire, are seated around a table. A woman in a blue dress descends a short flight of steps from the banquet area. The architecture includes stone arches, columns, and patterned floor tiles. The overall palette is rich with deep blues, reds, greens, and golden yellows.
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