Who painted Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist?

Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist was painted by Jacob Duck in 1700-01-01.

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

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

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

Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

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

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

Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist by Jacob Duck (1700)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Salome, the central figure in the biblical narrative of Saint John the Baptist's execution, holding the severed head of the prophet.

The painting depicts Salome, the central figure in the biblical narrative of Saint John the Baptist's execution, holding the severed head of the prophet. As a work of religious art, the piece focuses on the moment of aftermath where the dancer presents the head, likely on a platter, though the specific vessel is not detailed in the provided records. The subject matter serves as a moralizing representation of vanity and the consequences of sin, common in Dutch genre paintings of the period.

The composition isolates Salome and the head, emphasizing the grim reality of the martyrdom and the transient nature of earthly power and beauty. The work is classified within the religious genre, interpreting the scriptural account through the lens of 17th-century Dutch painting traditions, despite the recorded date of 1700 which postdates the artist's known lifetime.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, this work measures 71.0 by 54.6 centimeters. Created in the Netherlands around 1700, the painting is attributed to Jacob Duck, though the artist's active period is generally dated to the early-to-mid seventeenth century. The composition depicts the biblical figure Salome, adhering to the conventions of religious art.

The use of a panel support and oil medium reflects standard Dutch painting practices of the era. While specific details regarding the artist's brushwork, the current condition of the surface, or the handling of light and shadow are not explicitly detailed in the available records, the material construction and dimensions are clearly established. The work remains part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where its physical attributes as a medium-sized panel painting are preserved.

History & Provenance

Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist is an oil painting by Jacob Duck, a Dutch artist active in the Netherlands, with the work dated to 1700. The painting, executed on panel, entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1975.79. The 1975 accession prefix indicates the work was accessioned by the museum in 1975, though the specific circumstances of its acquisition prior to that date are not detailed in the available records.

The painting was produced in the Netherlands and depicts the religious subject of Salome, consistent with Duck's broader engagement with religious themes.

Context

Jacob Duck's 1700 oil on panel titled Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist portrays the biblical Salome holding the severed head of John the Baptist. The work belongs to the religious genre and was produced in the Netherlands before entering the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection (1975.79). As part of Duck’s documented oeuvre, the painting illustrates the persistence of biblical subject matter in early 18th‑century Dutch art, a theme examined in museum catalogues and scholarly listings of the artist’s output. Its inclusion in the museum’s holdings reflects its acknowledged significance within the study of Dutch religious painting.

Overview

Jacob Duck's Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist, an oil painting from 1700, is a notable example of Dutch Golden Age artistry. This work depicts the biblical narrative of Salome presenting the severed head of John the Baptist. The artist, known for genre scenes and military figures, created a dramatic composition that highlights the intense moment of the story. It is currently housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art.