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Cesare da Sesto, 'Salome', probably about 1510-20

Key facts
Full title Salome
Artist Cesare da Sesto
Artist dates about 1477 - 1523
Date made probably about 1510-20
Medium and support oil on wood
Dimensions 135.3 × 80 cm
Acquisition credit Salting Bequest, 1910
Inventory number NG2485
Location Not on display
Collection Main Collection
Previous owners
Salome
Cesare da Sesto
/

Salome displays the severed head of John the Baptist as his executioner places it in a footed bowl. Her mother Herodias, who held a grudge against John the Baptist for saying her marriage to Herod was unlawful, persuaded Salome to ask for this grisly prize from Herod as a reward for her dancing (Mark 6: 21–28).

We are placed in the role of Herodias, presented with the object of our desire. The executioner’s pose and the turn of his head echoes that of Salome, underlining the contrast between her pale beauty and his swarthy, muscular physique. The table-top is supported by a stone harpy – a half-woman and half-bird personification of storm winds.

There are three variants of this composition by Casare da Sesto; the original is probably the one in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, of which this painting is possibly a studio replica. Leonardo’s influence can be seen in the dramatic lighting effects and the ’smoky' manner in which Salome’s face is painted.

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