Today, 29^th August, the Catholic Church all across the world commemorates the anniversary of St John’s the Baptist martyrdom, the day he was beheaded for preaching the Christian faith.

Malta has always had strong connections with St John as he was the patron saint of the Knights of St John. They even built a spectacular and grand cathedral right in the middle of Valletta that is dedicated to none other than him.

St John’s Co-Cathedral is a beauty admired by many locals and tourists alike, but what perhaps is its main attraction is the masterpiece by Caravaggio depicting St John's beheading found within the Cathedral’s Oratory.

Often regarded as Caravaggio’s best work of art, the painting depicts St John as he is being beheaded while a servant girl is preparing the golden plate on which his head will be displayed.  

It was painted in 1608 after Caravaggio fled from Rome where he was sentenced to death after the murder of Ranuccio Tommasoni who came from a very influential and wealthy family.

The artist first fled to Naples, but soon moved on to Malta after Fabrizio Sforza Colonna, a family friend of his who happened to be a Knight with the order, facilitated over his move to the island in 1607. Here, he secured the patronage of Alof de Wignacourt.

During his time in Malta, Caravaggio was made into a Knight of Obedience and carried out some of his best work. Apart from the beheading of St John which is the largest painting and the only one which he signed his name on, he also painted ‘St Jerome Writing’ (St John’s Co-Cathedral), ‘Sleeping Cupid’ and ‘Portrait of a Knight of Malta’ (Palazzo Pitti, Florence) and ‘Portrait of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt with a Page’ (displayed in the Louvre, Paris).

He was however, soon imprisoned yet again in Malta for another brawl. Caravaggio managed to escape, but not before leaving Malta with some of the greatest works of art in history.

Johnathan Jones, a leading British art critic has listed the piece depicting St John’s beheading as one of the ten greatest works of art of all time.  

“Death and human cruelty are laid bare by this masterpiece, as its scale and shadow daunt and possess the mind”, he expressed.

The painting was significantly damaged throughout the years before it was extensively restored in 1955. It was during this time that his signature spilling through the blood from St John’s head was discovered. Some think that is says “I, Caravaggio did this” and that it is actually a confession of his crimes.

This masterpiece uses sharp light and dark tones (chiaroscuro) that gave the painting its dramatic effects.

Facebook/St John's Co-Cathedral