The head of John the Baptist is brought to Herod at the feast. Etching by G.W.L. after J. Gossaert.

Bible. N.T. Mark 6.17-29. Through the window soldiers gather around the executioner who withdraws his long sword from John's torso. A centurion places the head on a charger. In the left middleground Salome (or Herodias?) enters the room holding the head of the Baptist. Herodias (or Salome?) sits with Herod at the table. On the right a servant pours wine into a goblet. Four men watch the scene from behind a wall. Herod looks sickly and fingers the jewels braided around his mantle. A dog loiters in the foreground