Complete separation of the head from the body

concept

Hindu deities: Shiva, Chhinnamasta, Kamadeva and Rati. Gouache painting by an Indian artist.

Saint Paul. Engraving by A. Collaert.

Judith with a sword holding the head of Holofernes. Mezzotint by A. von Prenner after A. Varotari, il Padovanino, ca. 1720.

Eleven decorated initials from the Basel 1555 edition of Andreas Vesalius's De humani corporis fabrica. Woodcuts, 1555.

The execution of rebels during the Rebellion in Naples and Sicily in 1647. Etching by J. Duplessi-Bertaux, with engraving by J. Aliamet, 1781.

Decapitation of Saint John the Baptist. Engraving by S.A. Bolswert after Sir P.P. Rubens.

Decapitation of Saint John the Baptist. Lithograph by J. Dickson after Cesare da Sesto.

Kowloon, Hong Kong: five pirates awaiting beheading, while Chinese soldiers and dignitaries line up behind. Photograph, 1891.

David rests his hand on Goliath's severed head. Lithograph by B-R. Julien, 1845, after G. Reni.

Mercury flying off with the head of Argus whose decapitated body lies on the ground. Red chalk drawing.

Saint Barnabas: his martyrdom. Etching.

A Chinese man kneeling on the ground is about to be beheaded with a sword. Coloured stipple print by J. Dadley, 1801.

Judith puts the head of Holofernes into her maid's bag. Etching (?) after H. Goltzius.

The heads of women are reforged in a workshop by the sea; representing a brutal cure for the 'madness' of women. Line engraving by F. Campion, 1663.

The decapitation of Saint John the Baptist. Wood engraving by C.A. Zscheckel after Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld.

David holding up the head of Goliath. Colour etching by W.W. Ryland, 1762, after G.F. Mazzola, il Parmigianino.

La mort par la décapitation / par Paul Loye ; préface de P. Brouardel.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

Please note, due to essential maintenance work to our systems, you will be unable to request items in our collections; apply for, renew or pre-register for a library membership; or use our computers, laptops and printers from 06:00 on Saturday 12 July until 06:00 on Sunday 13 July. Our library will remain open as usual. Thank you for your understanding.

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

Decapitation

Images from the collections

Images about Decapitation

Works from the collections

Judith puts the head of Holofernes into her maid's bag. Etching (?) after H. Goltzius.

The heads of women are reforged in a workshop by the sea; representing a brutal cure for the 'madness' of women. Line engraving by F. Campion, 1663.

The decapitation of Saint John the Baptist. Wood engraving by C.A. Zscheckel after Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld.

David holding up the head of Goliath. Colour etching by W.W. Ryland, 1762, after G.F. Mazzola, il Parmigianino.

La mort par la décapitation / par Paul Loye ; préface de P. Brouardel.

Decapitation

Images from the collections

Images about Decapitation

Works from the collections

Judith puts the head of Holofernes into her maid's bag. Etching (?) after H. Goltzius.

The heads of women are reforged in a workshop by the sea; representing a brutal cure for the 'madness' of women. Line engraving by F. Campion, 1663.

The decapitation of Saint John the Baptist. Wood engraving by C.A. Zscheckel after Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld.

David holding up the head of Goliath. Colour etching by W.W. Ryland, 1762, after G.F. Mazzola, il Parmigianino.

La mort par la décapitation / par Paul Loye ; préface de P. Brouardel.

Related topics