OFFERED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION IS AN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL EXECUTED 17TH CENTURY FLEMISH SCHOOL OIL ON CANVAS DEPICTING THE BEHEADING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. THIS POWERFUL AND CONFRONTING IMAGE IS A PERFECT DISPLAY OF CHRISTIAN MARTYRDOM. ALTHOUGH A RELIGIOUS PAINTING IT IS ALSO CONSIDERED A HISTORY PAINTING WHICH IS QUALIFIED BY THE GOSPEL OF MATHEW. HOWEVER THIS REPRESENTATION SEEMS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THE GOLDEN LEGEND. CARAVAGGIO MADE SEVERAL VERSIONS OF THE SUBJECT AND THIS PAINTING SEEMS TO HAVE DRAWN INSPIRATION WITH THE USE OF THE CARAVAGGESQUE TECHNIQUE OF CHIAROSCURO. STANDING TO JOHNS LEFT APPEARS TO BE SALOME (HOLDING A LARGE DISH TO PRESENT HIS HEAD ON). BESIDE HER IS POSSIBLY HER MOTHER HERODIAS HOLDING A TORCH FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EXECUTIONER. THE SUBTLE PLAY ON LIGHT AND SHADE IS DELIBERATELY FOCUSING THE VIEWERS ATTENTION TO JOHN, THE CENTRAL FIGURE. AN ANGEL OF DEATH HOLDS A WREATH ABOVE WHILST IN THE BACKGROUND SEVERAL FACES CAN BE SEEN WHEN ONE LOOKS CAREFULLY. THIS PAINTING IS NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED BUT AS A WORK OF ART IT IS TRULY A VERY ACCOMPLISHED WORK. ARTIST: FLEMISH OLD MASTER. CONDITION: THIS PAINTING HAS BEEN PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED MOST LIKELY WITHIN THE LAST 10 YEARS. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF LINES THAT CAN BE SEEN ON THE CANVAS THAT NO DOUBT ARE A TELL TALE OF THE RESTORATION. IT IS CURRENTLY READY TO HANG , ALTHOUGH A SUITABLE FRAME IS NEEDED. MEASUREMENTS: 49 CM WIDE X 68 CM HIGH UNFRAMED (19.3″ X 26.8″). PLEASE SEE MY OTHER LISTINGS FOR INTERSTING ITEMS. The item “ANTIQUE C. 1680 FLEMISH OLD MASTER DECOLLATION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST CARAVAGGESQUE” is in sale since Wednesday, September 10, 2014. This item is in the category “Art\Paintings”. The seller is “tajmohul2004″ and is located in Pikesville, Maryland. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
- Signed?: Unsigned
- Medium: Oil
- Subject: Religious & Inspirational
- Style: BAROQUE
- Size Type/Largest Dimension: Medium (Up to 30in.)
- Date of Creation: Pre-1800
- Region of Origin: FLEMISH