Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist

mid-1600s

Jacob Duck

(Dutch, c. 1600–1667)

Culture

Netherlands

Medium

oil on wood

Measurements

Framed: 92 x 76.5 x 4 cm (36 1/4 x 30 1/8 x 1 9/16 in.); Unframed: 71 x 54.6 cm (27 15/16 x 21 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin 1975.79

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Location

213 Dutch Painting

Did You Know?

The pommel of the executioner's sword is decorated with a grotesque head, suggesting an ancient or exotic setting for this event.

Description

The colorful, exotic garments worn by the woman at the right demonstrate Jacob Duck’s skill in painting luxurious surfaces: she is Salome, daughter of Herodias. According to the New Testament, Herodias bore a grudge against John the Baptist, who condemned her marriage to Herod, ruler of Galilee and Perea. At a celebration dinner, Salome so charmed Herod with her dancing that he offered her anything she desired—and Herodias convinced Salome to demand John the Baptist’s head. Rather than depicting the actual execution, Duck focused on the executioner’s muscled physique as he departs the scene, turning to look at the viewer after having presented Salome with John’s severed head.