File:1468 Katharina.jpg

(b. 1472, Kronach, d. 1553, Weimar)

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist 1509-10 Oil and tempera on oak, 61 x 50 cm Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon

The biblical source for the painting is Matthew 14:6-11 or Mark 6:21-28, where the daughter of Herodias danced for her stepfather, Herod, on his birthday. As a reward he promised her anything she wanted and, prompted by her mother, she chose the head of Saint John the Baptist, which she then carried to Herodias on a silver charger.

Late medieval representations of this subject often isolated the protagonists and placed them in independent scenes. In this way Salome became the subject of closer, almost portrait-like half- or three-quarter-length pictures.

The panel in Lisbon is Cranach's earliest surviving, and his most impressive, interpretation of this scene.

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Author: CRANACH, Lucas the Elder Title: Salome with the Head of John the Baptist Time-line: 1501-1550 School: German Form: painting