Stainglass Window

A detailed Summary of Stainglass Window

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist ; 1275

Stained glass windows in churches were created to carry elaborate iconographical

messages to the faithful (1) who were mostly illiterate at the time of the creation of this work,

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist. St. John the Baptist was imprisoned by King Herod

for speaking against the marriage of Herod and his brother's wife, Herodias. Later, Herod's

stepdaughter, Salome, requested St. John's head as a reward for performing the Dance of the

Seven Veils. She wanted revenge on St. John because he had, at one point, scorned her (2).

In the work we see the large executioner outside the tower where St. John is imprisoned,

about to cruelly cut off St. John's, symbolically haloed, holy head. The executioner's face shows

determination; under his harsh eyebrows his eyes are pointed down at St. John, the executioner is

tight-lipped, he is beardless (symbolizing youth) and he is barefoot. St. John's bearded face has

softer features. He is being yanked by the hair, and he looks sad, scared, and confused. He does

not know why he is being killed. His arms are o

vivid red halo, which also stands out because of that color's intensity. The executioner stands on a

St. John's green robe seem calm, cool and gracious. Around St. John's head there is a similarly

add to the shadowy-grey stone walls and contribute life to the cathedral. Stained glass windows,

very volumetric, and besides, natural body shape was subordinate to the representation (5) of the

brilliant ruby red and a dark saturated blue. There is also a mix of white, light green, yellow,

and his eyes are pointed up towards God, almost pleadingly. Another interpretation for St. John's

Approximate Word count = 1109
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Arts

join now Save Paper

Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

"Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
Jack M.
"With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
Brian P.
"I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
Sara J.
"I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
Rachel W.
"I love this site!!!"
Marie N.