Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist is an iconic Symbolist painting created by Gustave Moreau between 1871 and 1881. Executed in oil on wood, this piece showcases Moreau’s unique approach to subject matter, characterized by meticulous detail, jewel-like color, and heavily ornamented compositions that define the fin-de-siècle aesthetic. The work’s lengthy creation period reflects the intensity with which Moreau crafted these small, visually rich tableaux.

The painting addresses the biblical narrative surrounding the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, focusing specifically on Salome, who demanded the Baptist's head as a reward for her dance before Herod Antipas. Moreau depicts Salome standing regally, contemplating the freshly severed head of John the Baptist presented to her on a platter. This highly concentrated composition focuses on the dramatic tension between the decadent youth of Salome, rendered in elaborate Byzantine-inspired costume, and the stark, mortal reality symbolized by the head. The meticulous execution and complex staging cemented Moreau's reputation as a key figure of the French Symbolist movement, influencing subsequent artists and writers who were fascinated by the theme of the femme fatale.

This pivotal work of 19th-century European art resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Moreau’s powerful interpretation of the heads subject continues to draw critical study regarding its psychological depth and ornate technical execution. As a historical masterwork, the painting is highly documented, and high-quality prints and archival images are frequently available through public domain collections.