Västerås Cathedral 1961

The head of John the Baptist is presented by Salome to Herodias, wife of Herod the Tetrarch. Herodias’ marriage to Herod had been damned as incestuous by The Baptist. When Herod promised Herodias any wish she wanted for allowing her daughter Salome to perform her ‘Dance of The Seven Veils’, Herodias demanded John’s head on a charger. Even though Herod could not find any capital offence by John he was obliged to the task because of his oath. (St. Matthew, Chapter 14, verses 1–15.)

Churches

Västerås Cathedral 1961

'The Death of John the Baptist, 1961. A cartoon proposal for Vesteras Cathedral. A competitive tender, which did not go ahead.

Västerås is a significant port on the western end of Lake Mälaren, which draws from the industrial hinterland of Dalarna, famed for its copper and steel. It is also an important city for engineering, timber and agriculture.