In 1733 Tiepolo painted three frescoes in Bergamo’s Colleoni chapel, of scenes from John the Baptist’s life: John the Baptist Preaching, The Baptism of Christ and The Beheading of John the Baptist. This is a sketch for the third. The event is captured in grey and light brown hues. John the Baptist’s kneeling form is strikingly contrasted with the fearful and intrigued reactions of onlookers. Carl Gustaf Tessin bought the sketch in Venice in 1735.