Décolation de St. Jean (Beheading of Saint John the Baptist)

Charpentier employed a hybrid process: line etching for precise contours, aquatint for tonal washes, and a roulette tool to create fine stippled textures. The brown palette and rough stone background enhance the chiaroscuro effect, while the laid‑paper surface contributes subtle grain to the overall atmosphere.

Born in Blois in 1734, Charpentier trained in Paris after leaving a Jesuit college for financial reasons. He later patented mechanical methods for aquatint production. The *Décolation de St. Jean* is now part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C.

The print belongs to the religious genre prevalent in mid‑18th‑century France, reflecting both devotional practice and the market for narrative prints. Charpentier’s work illustrates the period’s interest in combining technical innovation with traditional biblical subjects.