The Head of Saint John the Baptist Brought to Herod

The Head of Saint John the Baptist Brought to Herod is a powerful woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1511. This work exemplifies the mastery Dürer achieved in the graphic arts during the German Renaissance, showcasing his innovative approach to the challenging technique of relief printing. The image captures a pivotal and tragic moment following the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, whose life and death were frequently depicted in 16th-century religious cycles.

The composition centers dramatically on the severed head, presented on a large charger amidst a gathering of court figures. Dürer’s focus is particularly drawn to the psychological tension and the varied reactions of the Women witnessing the scene, contrasting the solemnity of the event with the opulence of the royal setting. Dürer’s meticulous line work and masterful use of cross-hatching demonstrate how he elevated the print medium from mere illustration to an autonomous art form. The powerful contrast between light and shadow heightens the drama, making this one of the most compelling visual representations of the subject in Northern European art.

This exceptional example of early 16th-century German printmaking resides within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The detail and expressive figures solidify Dürer’s reputation as the era’s foremost graphic artist. As this significant work is an integral part of art history, high-quality reproductions of the 1511 woodcut are widely accessible for study through public domain art initiatives, ensuring its continued influence.