This is entry #10 in our ongoing 100 Philosophers, 100 Artworks, 100 Words Series.
Philosopher: Cynthia Freeland (University of Houston)
Artwork: Juan de Mesca, Head of Saint John the Baptist (ca. 1625). Seville Cathedral, Spain
Words: I’m fascinated by depictions of John the Baptist. The idea of beheading has haunted me ever since I read Tale of Two Cities. In Russian icons John stands serene, holding his own head on a platter. Spanish art, in contrast, revels in suffering and gore. Baroque sculptor Juan de Mesa sets this realistic, life-sized head on a silver platter, confronting us with cruelty and blood. I am gripped by the 3-D realism of this decapitated head, its severed muscles, esophagus, and other tubes revealed with grisly anatomical correctness.
August 19, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Even in death, his hair is perfect.
August 20, 2014 at 3:59 am
You really need another view of it to appreciate what I was saying here. I hope this link works.
http://caf.smugmug.com/Art/Museums/AFB/43766035_3nJXpc#!i=3473298062&k=v3SgtJR
I took this picture at the museum of the Cathedral in Seville. It gives you a whole different feeling!
August 20, 2014 at 8:11 pm
Thanks for adding the 2nd picture, Christy.
August 21, 2014 at 12:06 am
Sorry, Cynthia. To the best of my knowledge, the neck bone picture was in the original draft of the post. Not sure how it managed to disappear (heavenly ascension?). At least it has now returned in all its gory.