Where can I see The Feast of Herod (recto); Tomyris with the Head of Cyrus (verso)?

The Feast of Herod (recto); Tomyris with the Head of Cyrus (verso) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Feast of Herod (recto); Tomyris with the Head of Cyrus (verso)?

The Feast of Herod (recto); Tomyris with the Head of Cyrus (verso) is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Feast of Herod (recto); Tomyris with the Head of Cyrus (verso)

The Feast of Herod (recto); Tomyris with the Head of Cyrus (verso) is a drawing by the Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This double-sided drawing by Peter Paul Rubens features two distinct sketches: 'The Feast of Herod' on the recto and 'Tomyris with the Head of Cyrus' on the verso. Both depict a ruler reacting to a severed head, prepared for larger paintings.

Subject & Meaning

The recto illustrates the biblical story of Herod's reaction to John the Baptist's beheading, while the verso depicts the ancient tale of Queen Tomyris avenging her son's death by presenting Cyrus's head in a blood-filled container, highlighting the theme of vengeance.

Technique & Style

Rubens's loose, expressive lines and chiaroscuro effects convey a sense of immediacy and drama, capturing the emotional intensity of the scenes. The sketches demonstrate his preparatory process, with visible revisions and annotations guiding potential changes.

History & Provenance

The drawings were preparatory studies for larger paintings: 'The Feast of Herod' is linked to a painting now in Edinburgh, while 'Tomyris with the Head of Cyrus' relates to works in Paris and Boston.