Help me think of a painting of a certain sort?

I’d like to find a classical painting that depicts a cruel or violent subject in a manner that is beautiful and perhaps even delicate; maybe something in the hand of one of the Old Masters, such as Tiepolo, possibly of a scene of martyrdom or assassination, such as St. Sebastian, or Judith beheading Holofernes (but examples of the latter are generally too gruesome for my purpose).

It doesn’t have to be religious, although it’s hard to find something in this vein that isn’t.

I’m looking for a clear contrast between the subject matter and the rendition. I want something that seems almost like a beautiful layer of fine lace (metaphorically speaking) laid over a ruined corpse.

This is to illustrate the idea of depicting something terrible in a way that is in itself a thing of beauty.

Any ideas? If so, please post a link.