Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

Caravaggio's masterpiece at St John's Cathedral, Valletta.

The martyrdom of St John the Baptist is commemorated today, and anyone in Malta refers to the most impressive painting of this scene in the Cathedral of St John’s in Valletta, a masterpiece by Caravaggio, housed in the Oratory adjacent to the main Cathedral. It is visited by thousands of visitors and tourists daily. Its most recent restoration began in April 1997 when it was sent to the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence as the Comune di Firenze had offered to restore it. The whole project, which was a major operation, was financed by the Opificio itself. Restoration works were completed in June 1998 and the painting was exhibited at the del Carmine church, Florence. The painting returned to Malta in June 1999. It is the only painting which was signed by Caravaggio, his signature seen in the trickle of blood coming from John’s decapitated head. This is a sad day for the history of Christianity as Herod used his niece to get rid of John while satisfying his brother’s wife, who was his concubine. A young girl and ballerina would certainly ask for a bracelet, or a necklace or a pretty colorful dress, or a pair of sandals for her feet, and not the head of someone she doesn’t know or ever met. 

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's 'Beheading of John the Baptist.'

Yet another painting, probably more graphic is that of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It appears to be more crowded with various characters having a part in this tragic ending of St John the Baptist.