Decapitation in the Bible (성경속의 참수장면)

 

 

(창 22:10)

손을 내밀어 칼을 잡고 그 아들을 잡으려 하니

 

 

 

 

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

The Angel Prevents the Sacrifice of Isaac (1635)

oil on canvas (193 × 133 cm) — 1635

  Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

 

This work is linked to Genesis 22:10

 

At the very last moment, an angel stops Abraham from killing his own son, Isaac. Pretending they set out to slaughter a lamb, Abraham actually intended to sacrifice Isaac to his god.

One year on, Rembrandt would make a similar painting.

 

 

 

 

 

Caravaggio 1573 – 1610

The Sacrifice of Isaac (1603)

oil on canvas (204 × 135 cm) — ca. 1603

  Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

Caravaggio biography

 

This work is linked to Genesis 22:10

 

The ｅxpression on Isaac's face says it all: he is scared to death, with his father about to cut his throat. At this exact moment, an angel intervenes, suggesting that Abraham had better sacrifice a sheep.

Please note the sharp contrast between the unpleasant scene in the foreground and the rustic landscape in the background.

This painting was most likely commissioned by Cardinal Barberini, the future Pope Urban VIII.

A few years later Caravaggio would make another painting with this popular theme.

 

 

 

 

Caravaggio 1573 – 1610

The Sacrifice of Isaac (1605)

oil on canvas (116 × 173 cm) — c. 1605
private collection

Caravaggio biography

 

This work is linked to Genesis 22:10

 

Experts are not sure if this painting is by Caravaggio. It lacks the characteristic strong emotion of the earlier 1603 version. Nevertheless, the composition is strong. The angel arrives in the nick of time to convince Abraham not to kill his son. Abraham's grip on the boy's head is already weakening.

The work is one in the collection of Barbara Piasecka Johnson, a Polish immigrant who became heir to the Johnson & Johnson company.

 

 

(삼상 17:51)

다윗이 달려가서 블레셋 사람을 밟고 그의 칼을 그 칼 집에서 빼내어 그 칼로 그를 죽이고 그의 머리를 베니 블레셋 사람들이 자기 용사의 죽음을 보고 도망하는지라 히11:34

(삼상 17:52)

이스라엘과 유다 사람들이 일어나서 소리 지르며 블레셋 사람들을 쫓아 가이와 에그론 성문까지 이르렀고 블레셋 사람들의 부상자들은 사아라임 가는 길에서부터 가드와 에그론까지 엎드러졌더라

(삼상 17:53)

이스라엘 자손이 블레셋 사람들을 쫓다가 돌아와서 그들의 진영을 노략하였고

(삼상 17:54)

다윗은 그 블레셋 사람의 머리를 예루살렘으로 가져가고 갑주는 자기 장막에 두니라

 

 

 

 

Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640

David Slaying Goliath

oil on canvas (123 × 99 cm) — ca. 1616

  Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena

Peter Paul Rubens biography

 

This work is linked to 1 Samuel 17:51

David has just slain Goliath with a stone from his sling and is about to decapitate the giant.

A strong composition by Rubens, all the more so because of its suggestion of circular motion and its diametrical positioning of the opponents' faces.

 

 

 

 

Caravaggio 1573 – 1610

David with the Head of Goliath (1606/07)

oil on panel (91 × 116 cm) — 1606/07

  Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Caravaggio biography

 

This work is linked to 1 Samuel 17:54

 

David has just killed the giant Goliath and takes the head with him to show to his people.

Caravaggio mostly painted on canvas, but this work was made on a wooden panel. See also the 1601 version and the 1610 version.

 

 

 

Apocryphical Book of Judith

 

8 And she smote twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took away his head from him.

9 And tumbled his body down from the bed, and pulled down the canopy from the pillars; and anon after she went forth, and gave Holofernes his head to her maid;

 

 

 

 

Caravaggio 1573 – 1610

Judith Beheading Holofernes

oil on canvas (145 × 195 cm) — ca. 1599

Palazzo Barberini, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome

Caravaggio biography

 

This work is linked to Judith 13:8

 

Clearly and harshly drawn figures characterize this gruesome scene. The servant holds the bag as Judith cuts off the head of Holophernes, the leader of the enemy troops.

In an earlier version, Judith's breasts were visible. Caravaggio later added the blouse.

Caravaggio made several other paintings showing decapitations.

 

 

 

 

Artemisia Gentileschi 1593 – 1656

Judith Beheading Holofernes (Uffizi)

oil on canvas (199 × 162 cm) — c. 1620

  Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

Artemisia Gentileschi biography

 

This work is linked to Judith 13:9

 

This is Gentileschi's second take on the subject. The composition is almost similar to that of her 1612 version. Here too the many arms, Judith's cool concentration, and the struggling Holofernes who is kept down by Judith's maid.

The main difference is that this painting is even more gruesome, because of the blood spurting from Holofernes's neck.

 

 

 

(막 6:27)

왕이 곧 시위병 하나를 보내어 요한의 머리를 가져오라 명하니 그 사람이 나가 옥에서 요한을 목 베어

 

 

 

Caravaggio 1573 – 1610

The Beheading of St John the Baptist

oil on canvas (361 × 520 cm) — 1607-1608

Museum of St. John, La Valletta

Caravaggio biography

 

This work is linked to Mark 6:27

 

Caravaggio painted this altarpiece while on the island of Malta. It was created for the St John's Cathedral in the capital Valletta.

Salome had ordered the Baptist's head, and in a few moments, she will receive it from the executioner. Her maid looks on in awe. The jailer tells the executioner to put the head on the charger. Two prisoners watch the scene.

The group on the left forms an arch, with Salome and the executioner bending to the floor. This is the only painting Caravaggio signed - in the blood of the Baptist.

 

 

(마 14:9)

왕이 근심하나 자기가 맹세한 것과 그 함께 2)앉은 사람들 때문에 주라 명하고 헬, 기대어 누우려니와(유대인이 음식 먹을 때에 가지는 자세)       Caravaggio 1573 – 1610 Salome with the Baptist's Head oil on canvas (91 × 167 cm) — ca. 1609/10 National Gallery, London Caravaggio biography   This work is linked to Matthew 14:9 Salomé holds the platter upon which the headsman is placing John the Baptist's head. A maid, or maybe Salomé's mother, looks on.