Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist
after Sir Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen 1577 - Antwerp 1640)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1760
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1460 x 1079 mm (57 1/2 x 42 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Lyme, Cheshire
NT 499990
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist, after Sir Peter Paul Rubens (Seigen 1577 - Antwerp 1640), 1760. This painting depicts the biblical story from the book of Matthew, when Salome, who has danced for King Herod, is offered anything she wishes. Her mother, Herodias, had asked her to request the head of John the Baptist, which she does. The King, bound by his promise, fulfilled her wish. Three standing figures. The central female, Salome, is turned to left, head slightly facing, with dark long brown hair, wearing a crimson cloak with a rope of gems, her right arm over a charger containing the the head of the Baptist on a circular dish held by a handmaid to her left, who raises her gaze to Salome. On the right a bearded man, the executioner dressed in armour, a sword gripped in his right hand, extends his left hand to place John's head on the dish. Set in a gloomy prison, with barred ovoid opening above.
Provenance
Original to the house, mentioned in 1879 inventory as 'Herod's daughter with Head of John the Baptist', hanging in Mahogany Dressing Room; National Trust, 1948
Credit line
Lyme Park, The Legh Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
after Sir Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen 1577 - Antwerp 1640), artist