Decapitation of Saint John the Baptist. Etching by J. Kip after G. Freman.

  • Freman, G.
Date:
[1705?]
Reference:
6249i
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About this work

Description

Saint John the Baptist was the son of Saint Elizabeth, a relative (Greek "syngenis") of the Virgin. He was therefore a relative of Jesus Christ. His father was Zacharias. He is often depicted wearing camel's hair; with a lamb, referring to his description of Christ as the "Lamb of God"; with a cross of reeds held sometimes by him and sometimes by the lamb; and pointing with his index finger, to indicate his role as annunciator of Christ. His martyrdom by decapitation led to his being invoked especially against diseases associated with the head, such as migraine, epilepsy ("le mal Saint-Jean") and quinsy

Publication/Creation

[London] : [Richard Blome?], [1705?]

Physical description

1 print : engraving

Lettering

The beheading of St John the Baptist, Mark 6. The right honourable ye Lady Mary Stafford, sister and heyress to Henry Lord Stafford baroness by descent and dowager to William Lord Viscount Stafford &c. For ye advancement of this work contributed this plate, to whose patronage it is humbly dedicated by Richard Blome. G. Freman invent. J. Kip sculp.

Reference

Wellcome Collection 6249i

Type/Technique

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