Skip to Main Content

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

c. 1650
(Dutch, 1603–1655)
Netherlands
pen and brown ink, brown washes and white heightening (oxidized), over black chalk on antique laid paper; framing lines in pen and brown ink
Sheet: 33.4 x 27.9 cm (13 1/8 x 11 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 2019.8
Location: not on view
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

The stoic Salome in this drawing awaits the head of John the Baptist so that she can deliver it to King Herod on a salver.

Description

The Utrecht artist Nicolaes Knupfer was known for depicting powerful women who outsmarted or overpowered men. This drawing, probably a study for a painting, depicts the New Testament story of Salome, who was granted a wish by King Herod after dancing for him. Encouraged by her mother, Herodias, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist, against whom Herodias bore a grudge for objecting to her marriage to the king. The scene shows the theatrical moment after the beheading, when a stoic Salome holds a salver to receive the head.
Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

c. 1650

Nicolaus Knupfer

(Dutch, 1603–1655)
Netherlands

See Also

Visually Similar Artworks

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.