Where can I see Salome with the Head of John the Baptist?

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Salome with the Head of John the Baptist?

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist is associated with Symbolism.

Can I buy a print of Salome with the Head of John the Baptist?

Museum-quality prints of Salome with the Head of John the Baptist are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

Gustave Moreau , 1888

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist is an unspecified painting by the Symbolist artist Gustave Moreau. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

A woman in rich medieval dress holds a silver platter bearing a haloed, severed head in a dim room, a dark curtain behind her and a stormy, lightning-lit sky beyond. Her gold-and-green gown and crown set off the bold color and sharp contrasts Moreau uses to push the drama. 1888.

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1876 by Gustave Moreau, this religious painting illustrates the biblical narrative of Salome presenting the severed head of John the Baptist.

Created in 1876 by Gustave Moreau, this religious painting illustrates the biblical narrative of Salome presenting the severed head of John the Baptist. The composition focuses on the titular figure holding the human head of the martyr, establishing a direct visual link to the scriptural account of his execution. As a work of religious art, the imagery serves as a depiction of this specific moment of triumph and tragedy within Christian tradition.

The piece centers its iconography on the juxtaposition of the living dancer and the dead prophet, capturing the grim conclusion of the Baptist's story through the physical presence of his remains.

History & Provenance

The work titled Salome with the Head of John the Baptist was painted by Gustave Moreau in 1876, as recorded in contemporary documentation. It is classified as an oil painting within the religious genre, depicting the biblical scene of Salome holding the severed head of John the Baptist. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s catalogue, the painting entered the museum’s collection and has been displayed there since its acquisition, forming part of the museum’s permanent holdings.

The work’s creation date of 1876 is corroborated by both the artist’s dated entry and the museum’s provenance record.

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist by Gustave Moreau, dated 1876, is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as recorded in its collection data. The work is associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art as both its collection and location, indicating it is part of that institution's holdings. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history beyond its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection is documented.

Overview

Gustave Moreau's "Salome with the Head of John the Baptist," painted in 1888, presents a dramatic interpretation of the biblical narrative. This oil painting, now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts the moment Salome receives the severed head of John the Baptist. Moreau's work is characterized by its rich symbolism and intense visual storytelling, reflecting the artist's distinctive approach to religious and mythological themes.

Technique & Style

Moreau employed a distinctive technique, utilizing bold colors and sharp contrasts to heighten the scene's dramatic impact. The dim interior, with a dark curtain behind Salome, is dramatically lit, creating a strong sense of chiaroscuro. This interplay of light and shadow, combined with the stormy, lightning-streaked sky visible outside, amplifies the painting's intense and somber mood, drawing the viewer into its unsettling narrative.