h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I feel this is a marvelous example of a short, but satisfyingly complete entry. And classy!

Thank you Fragilis

You're quite welcome.

This is a good entry indeed!

I visited the National on Easter Sunday, but there weren't any of the huge crowds you mention. Plus one other thing about the picture that struck me is how puny the axe is. To sunder head from body, you need something with a broad enough blade to ensure you're not going to miss, or only sever half the neck - a longer edge ensures that the executioner doesn't need to have several swings to behead someone. The axe in the painting looks like a woodsman's axe - 'square-headed', as it were (ie no great curve to the blade, the ends of which are nearly perpendicular to the handle) and small.

Why do I have the horrid feeling that this observation reveals rather more about me than it does the painting?

But look at it in a positive light! You probably have a knack for mechanical thinking and observations.

Thanks, Fragilis!

Have a too.