Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

Gustave Moreau

Created:
Movement:
1881
Symbolism
key Notes:
Symbolist opulence, enigmatic sensuality
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Dimensions:
8 1/2 × 4 3/4 in. (21.6 × 12.1 cm)
medium:
Oil on wood
Difficulty:
Easy
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story of the work:

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Salome with the Head of John the Baptist by Gustave Moreau

Gustave Moreau (1826–1898) was a prominent French Symbolist painter known for his intricate and imaginative works. Created in 1881, Salome with the Head of John the Baptist is an exemplary piece that showcases Moreau's fascination with biblical and mythological themes. The painting, executed in oil on wood, reflects Moreau's meticulous attention to detail and his use of rich, vibrant colors. This work is significant for its exploration of the femme fatale archetype, a recurring theme in Moreau's oeuvre, which influenced later Symbolist and Decadent movements. Moreau's depiction of Salome is both enigmatic and opulent, capturing the viewer's attention with its complex iconography and emotional intensity. The painting contributes to the broader 19th-century artistic discourse on the interplay between beauty, power, and morality.

Description of the work:

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist by Gustave Moreau

Created in 1881, Gustave Moreau's "Salome with the Head of John the Baptist" is an oil on wood painting that exemplifies the Symbolist style, characterized by its intricate detail and mystical themes. The artwork depicts the biblical story of Salome, capturing a moment of dramatic intensity and opulence, and is housed in the Musée Gustave Moreau in Paris.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Salome with the Head of John the Baptist