The Dance of Salome was painted by the Italian artist Fortunino Matania (1881-1963).
It depicts the Biblical story of Salome dancing before her mother and stepfather. Salome was the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, who asked her to dance for him and his guests. She pleased the guests so much that her stepfather promised her whatever she wished for. This painting focuses on her performance, and you can see how much her stepfather in the background enjoys it. Meanwhile, Salome’s mother seems to roll her eyes…
After this dance, it’s time for her stepfather’s promise. Salome will consult with her mother about what to ask for. In the end, she asked for the head of St. John the Baptist on a platter. Her mother disliked John the Baptist because he did not approve of her marriage to Herod Antipas, since Herod Antipas had to divorce his first wife for that.
No comments:
Post a Comment