JOHN THE BAPTIST
There is no specific object in the castle which references John the Baptist, so this piece is something of an outlier. However, since 2 of the other pieces in the exhibition show John (Andrew, where he is shown as the disciple’s first teacher, and the Nativity pattern (where he is shown in his mother Elizabeth’s womb), I wanted to take the opportunity to expand on his story. It helps that I have always had a special interest in John the Baptist - this story of a man in the wilderness, who eats locusts and wild honey, has enchanted me for a long time. This synoptic artwork shows key parts of the life (and pre-life and death) of John the Baptist in one image.
His conception through divine intervention is shown in the image of the angel hovering over Elizabeth. She conceived in old-age, and came to understand that her baby was to be the forerunner to the Messiah, who would pave the way for his cousin Jesus.
Jesus is shown receiving His baptism from John at the River Jordan.
Salome’s dance and John’s beheading are shown at the top of the artwork. After pleasing her step-father, King Herod, with a dance, she famously requested the head of John the Baptist on a plate.