09 works, Today, August 29th, is The Beheading of John the Baptist day, his story illustrated #241

Lovis Corinth, (1858–1925)

Salome , II. Version, c. 1900

Oil on canvas

127 × 147 cm (50 × 57.8 in)

Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig

Lovis Corinth (21 July 1858 – 17 July 1925) was a German artist and writer whose mature work as a painter and printmaker realized a synthesis of impressionism and expressionism.

Corinth studied in Paris and Munich, joined the Berlin Secession group, later succeeding Max Liebermann as the group's president. His early work was naturalistic in approach. Corinth was initially antagonistic towards the expressionist movement, but after a stroke in 1911 his style loosened and took on many expressionistic qualities. His use of color became more vibrant, and he created portraits and landscapes of extraordinary vitality and power. Corinth's subject matter also included nudes and biblical scenes. More on Lovis Corinth

Following the Baptism of the Jesus, Saint John the Baptist was locked up in prison by Herod Antipas, ruler of one fourth of the Holy Land, and governor of Galilee. Herod Antipas received Galilee from the emperor Augustus.

The prophet John openly denounced Herod for having left his lawful wife, the daughter of the Arabian king Aretas, and then instead cohabiting with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. On his birthday, Herod made a feast for dignitaries, the elders and a thousand chief citizens. 

Maurycy Gottlieb, (1856–1879)

Salome's Dance, circa 1879

Oil on canvas

Height: 37.5 cm (14.7 in); Width: 67.5 cm (26.5 in)

National Museum in Kielce

Maurycy Gottlieb; February 21/28, 1856 – July 17, 1879) was a Polish realist painter of the Romantic period. He was born in Drohobych to a wealthy family living in Galicia. It was then part of the Austrian sector of Partitioned Poland, now Western Ukraine. Considered one of the most talented students of Jan Matejko, Gottllieb died at the age of 23.

At fifteen, he enrolled at the Vienna Fine Arts Academy for three years. In 1873 he went to Kraków to study under Jan Matejko. He traveled to Norway and stayed in Molde. He returned to Vienna and from there travelled to Munich in 1875 to study under Karl Piloty and Alexander Wagner. In 1876 he won the Gold Medal at the Munich Academy for his painting, Shylock and Jessica. In the same year, he moved back to Vienna. He lived and worked in Vienna for the next two years and produced paintings with biblical themes, as well as illustrations for Friedrich Bruckmann Publishing of Munich.

In 1879 Gottlieb settled in Kraków . He died in the same year from health complications. More on Maurycy Gottlieb

Salome, the daughter of Herod, danced before the guests and charmed Herod. In gratitude to the girl, he swore to give her whatever she would ask, up to half his kingdom.

After Ernest Lee Major (American, 1864–1950)

Herodias and her daughter , c. 1881

Oil on Canvas

121.9 x 101.6 cm. (48 x 40 in.)

Private collection

Ernest Lee Major (1864–1950) was an American painter.

Originally from the Washington DC area, Major first studied under E. C. Messer at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, then at the Art Students League of New York with William Merritt Chase. A Harper Hargarten Prize provided him with the opportunity to travel to Europe, where he studied under Gustave Boulanger and Jules Joseph Lefebvre.

Returning to the United States in 1888, Major taught at Cowles Art School until he took a teaching post in 1896 at Massachusetts Normal Art School. From 1908, he moved to Fenway Studios where he taught private lessons and painted.

Major's work won a silver medal at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in 1915, and also the Bok Prize in 1917. More on Ernest Lee Major

Salome, on the advice of her wicked mother Herodias, asked that she be given the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod became apprehensive, for he feared the wrath of God for the murder of a prophet, whom earlier he had heeded. He also feared the people, who loved John. But because of the guests and his careless oath, he gave orders to cut off the head of Saint John and to give it to Salome.

Unknown artist

The Beheading of St John

Icon

I have no further description, at this time

According to Tradition, the mouth of the dead preacher of repentance once more opened and proclaimed: “Herod, you should not have the wife of your brother Philip.

Unknown artist

The Head of the Baptist

Icon

I have no further description, at this time

Salome took the platter with the head of Saint John and gave it to her mother. The frenzied Herodias repeatedly stabbed the tongue of the prophet with a needle and buried his head in a unclean place. 

Unknown artist

The Burial of St. John the Baptist, circa 1700

Icon

I have no further description, at this time

But Joanna, wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, buried the head of John the Baptist in an earthen vessel on the Mount of Olives, where Herod had a parcel of land. The body of John the Baptist was taken that night by his disciples and buried at Sebastia.

William Brassey Hole

Jesus being interviewed privately by Pontius Pilate

Art Thou King Of The Jews

Watercolor on paper

I have no further description, at this time

Here we witness a profound moment in history as Jesus Christ is interviewed privately by Pontius Pilate. The image transports us back to biblical times, allowing us to glimpse into the intense encounter between these two iconic figures. Jesus Stands calmly, his serene expression contrasting with the weight of the impending judgment. The private nature of their meeting adds intrigue to the scene, as both men grapple with their respective roles and responsibilities within this pivotal moment. William Brassey Hole's depiction captures not only the physical likeness but also delves into the emotional depth of each character. Through skillful brushstrokes and meticulous attention to detail. More on this painting

William Brassey Hole RSA (7 November 1846 – 22 October 1917) was an English artist, illustrator, etcher and engraver, known for his industrial, historical and biblical scenes.

He was educated at Edinburgh Academy, then served an apprenticeship as a civil engineer for 5 years, although he really wanted to be an artist.

In 1869, he sailed from Swansea to Genoa, and spent the next 6 months travelling and sketching around Italy. In Rome he made the acquaintance of Keeley Halswelle who gave him practical advice on art. 

On returning to Edinburgh, Hole entered the School of Design, then won admission to the life school of the Royal Scottish Academy, first exhibiting there in 1873; in 1878 he was elected an associate of the Academy. Around this time he took up etching and was accepted into the Royal Society of Painters and Etchers (RE) in 1885; he was already a member of the Royal Scottish Watercolour Society (RSW) from 1884. He eventually became a full member of the Academy (RSA). More on William Brassey Hole

After the murder of Saint John the Baptist, Herod continued to govern for a certain time. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, later sent Jesus Christ to him, Whom he mocked.

Kristina Gehrmann

Death of Salome

Digital art

I have no further description, at this time

Kristina Gehrmann is an illustrator and graphic novelist, exploring historical and fantasy subjects in a detailed painterly style. Her preferred tools are a Wacom tablet and Photoshop, and her clients are mostly big and small book publishers.

Her graphic novel/comic debut „Im Eisland“ tells the story of the lost Franklin Expedition in a trilogy of three comics, the first of which won the German Childrens‘ Literature Award in 2016.

She is also practically deaf since birth, and lives in Hamburg, Germany, with her husband. More on Kristina Gehrmann

The judgment of God came upon Herod, Herodias and Salome, even during their earthly life. Salome, crossing the River Sikoris in winter, fell through the ice. The ice gave way in such a way that her body was in the water, but her head was trapped above the ice. It was similar to how she once had danced with her feet upon the ground, but now she flailed helplessly in the icy water. Thus she was trapped until that time when the sharp ice cut through her neck.

Unknown artist

Caligula

Łazienkowski Park, Warsaw

I have no further description, at this time

Her corpse was not found, but they brought the head to Herod and Herodias, as once they had brought them the head of Saint John the Baptist. The Arab king Aretas, in revenge for the disrespect shown his daughter, made war against Herod. The defeated Herod suffered the wrath of the Roman emperor Caius Caligua and was exiled with Herodias first to Gaul, and then to Spain. More on The Beheading of John the Baptist

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, 365 Saints, 365 Days, and Biblical Icons, also visit my Boards on Pinterest

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

I do not sell art, art prints, framed posters or reproductions. Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog and also for liking its posts and pages.

Please note that the content of this post primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online.