Salome with the Head of John the Baptist
The Met
Artist: Gustave Moreau(French, Paris 1826–1898 Paris)
Date: ca. 1876
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 8 1/2 × 4 3/4 in. (21.6 × 12.1 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust, 2018
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A woman in an ornate dress holds a severed head with a bright halo on a platter
Detailed Description
A vertical painting depicts a central female figure. The woman stands full-length, facing slightly right, with long, light brown hair adorned by an ornate gold crown or tiara. She wears an elaborate gown featuring a gold skirt, blue sleeves, and a patterned bodice and belt. In her left hand, she holds a small white flower. Her right hand supports a gold platter, on which rests a severed head. The severed head has dark hair and a beard, with closed eyes, and is surrounded by a bright white halo. Reddish-brown blood drips from its severed neck onto the platter. The background is dark, with architectural elements on the left, including a dark wall or column and a small, flickering light source, appearing to be a candle or lamp, on a ledge. To the right, a dark, cloudy sky with hints of blue and lighter clouds is visible. On the ground below the severed head, a long sword with a dark hilt lies diagonally, accompanied by reddish stains. The overall color palette is dominated by dark blues, browns, and golds, contrasted by the white halo and red blood.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
