The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula
c. 1607-1609 Royal Palace of Madrid
About this artwork
This painting depicts Salome receiving the severed head of John the Baptist from an executioner, with an older woman looking on. It is characterized by its intense chiaroscuro and psychological depth, a hallmark of Caravaggio's mature style.
Did you know?
Caravaggio, a master of chiaroscuro, often infused his biblical scenes with intense realism and psychological drama. This painting is particularly striking, with the legend suggesting that Caravaggio painted his own self-portrait into the severed head of John the Baptist, perhaps as an act of penance for his own turbulent life and flight from justice. The work powerfully conveys the brutality and tragic consequences of the biblical narrative.
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The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula
Michelangelo da Caravaggio, c. 1607-1609
