Painting on stone (slate), 17th century: The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

Painting on stone (slate), 17th century: The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, Italian school

Oil on slate, a rare and refined support highly valued in the 17th century for its ability to enhance contrasts of light and shadow, adding depth to compositions. The black stone, with its dark background, is particularly suited to a dramatic subject such as The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, aligning with the Caravaggesque sensibility and the theatrical painting of the period.

The composition follows the tradition of the 17th-century Italian school, characterized by strong chiaroscuro and intense narration. The presence of Salome or Herodias accompanies the execution, in a scene structured around expressive gestures and tense gazes. The dark background accentuates the plasticity of the figures and the emotional intensity of the moment, with a restrained yet highly effective color palette.

The painting, measuring 36 x 48 cm, has undergone restoration on the stone while maintaining its original structure. This work reflects the 17th-century taste for precious materials and powerful dramatic representations, firmly placing it within the Italian tradition influenced by realism and the interplay of light and shadow.