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A headless figure leans out of the first-floor window of a light-colored stone building from which two iron bars have been detatched, his blood spurting to the ground. A figure ben
Art Institute of Chicago · Public Domain · Reuse terms

Italy / 1455–60

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

Look closely at The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. A headless figure leans out of the first-floor window of a light-colored stone building from which two iron bars have been detatched, his blood spurting to the ground.

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

Give the image another moment. Which detail changes the way you see the whole? The Art Institute dates The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist to 1455–60.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected
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A CLOSER LOOK

Giovanni di Paolo (Italian, 1398–1482) made this painting. The museum dates it 1455–60.

The original museum record has the full image, attribution, and catalog details. Return to the work after reading its record and see what you notice.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

Art Institute of ChicagoThe Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.