Beheading of John the Baptist (Damaskinos)
The Beheading of John the Baptist was a painting made of egg tempera and gold leaf. It was similar in length to Damaschino's Stoning of Stephen. Michele Damaschino (c. 1530-1592) was a famous member of the Cretan school of painting. His contemporaries were El Greco and Georgios Klontzas. Damaschino was from Crete, he spent a large amount of time in Venice. While in Venice, and other parts of Italy, he adopted Italian mannerisms which he applied to his painting technique. The Beheading of John the Baptist was a popular theme among Greek and Italian painters.
| Beheading of John the Baptist | |
|---|---|
| Greek: Αποτομή Ιωάννου Προδρόμου, Italian: La Decollazione di San Giovanni Battista | |
| Artist | Michael Damaskinos |
| Year | c. 1590 |
| Medium | tempera on wood |
| Movement | Cretan School |
| Subject | Beheading of John the Baptist |
| Dimensions | 165.5 cm × 97.5 cm (65.2 in × 38.4 in) |
| Location | Municipal Gallery of Corfu, Corfu, Greece |
| Owner | Municipal Gallery of Corfu |
| Website | Official Website |
The Beheading of John the Baptist, painted by Michael Damaskinos, was copied by countless Greek and Italian painters. The theme and painting style became a common prototype of the late Cretan school. Georgios Kastrofylakas and Philotheos Skoufos each painted their own version of the masterpiece. Damaschino's icon is very large, it is housed at the Municipal Gallery of Corfu in Corfu, Greece. The artwork is inside section A of the Palace of St. Michael and St. George. Damaskinos's Stoning of Saint Stephen is also at the same place.