The original Biblical account of the martyrdom of John the Baptist says that Herod’s wife Herodias ordered it in revenge, as seen in these paintings.
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Waiting the knight’s end, watching a sorceress, flying over a wheat field, or in front of a sleigh. Wherever they go they seem sinister.
Companions to valkyries, accompanying the Wild Hunt, at the Crucifixion and executions, or the first sign of Spring?
Perceval’s sister dies to save the life of a lady, Lancelot achieves the grail, then Galahad, Bors and Perceval do, but only one of them lives to tell the tale.
Split a block of rock, craft your sculpture, break stones to dress the roads, be a blacksmith, sharpen your scythe, forge iron, or operate on a leg with your hammer.
Wielded by the Etruscan god of death Charun, Hephaistos or Vulcan, Jael as she killed Sisera, those who nailed Christ to the cross, and the Norse god Thor.
Galahad was given a shield dating back to Joseph of Arimathea, then sorted out the Castle of Maidens, before getting his sword and scabbard on a ghost ship.
Superb paintings of this tragedy from Roman history, by Veronese, Reni, Gentileschi, Rembrandt and Godfrey Kneller.
Saying it with flowers from the Pre-Raphaelites, scattering opium poppies, drowning with forget-me-nots, and choosing between camellias and violets.
Saying it with flowers from Botticelli’s Primavera with over 130 species of flower to Hans Memling’s innovative floral still life.
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