2018-08-29

The Beheading of the Forerunner

Today, many Christian churches observe this holy day and event from the Bible which was the beheading of John the Baptist.

The Forerunner of Christ was killed by order of Herod Antipas, who coveted his step daughter Salome and did so at the behest of her and her mother.

Jan Adam Kruseman (1804–1862), Salome with the Head of John the Baptist (c 1861), oil on canvas, 120 x 90 cm, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Amsterdam.