Flemish school; early 17th century.

Flemish school; early seventeenth century.
"Salome".
Oil on oak panel.
It presents restorations on the pictorial surface.
Measurements: 97 x 76 cm; 115 x 94 cm (frame).
Salome is presented in this scene showing to the spectator the silver tray that supports the head of San Juan Bautista. The young woman does not show a hint of remorse, sketching a slight smile and directing her gaze to the viewer, in a defiant way towards him. The author portrays the young woman with her breasts uncovered, a pictorial expression that tries to capture a tempting and shameless woman, alluding to her role in the biblical story. Next to the protagonist are arranged the executioner and a servant girl whose face is largely reminiscent of Lucas Cranach's Venuses, which are characterized by sharp facial features and blonde hair gathered and adorned with pearls, as in this case. Salome's appearance, however, reveals a greater volume in the conception of forms that are more rubenesque, characterized by the exuberance of their flesh tones and roundness. In the case of the executioner, his aesthetic differs in such a way that the models are closer to the Caravaggiesque painting, with a more quality tonality and more truthful features inspired by naturalism. In such a way the work follows a classical composition of pyramidal cut, revealing in the pictorial creation of the characters the great aesthetic knowledge of the artist, which crystallizes in the main currents of the time to create a completely personal and harmonious image.
According to tradition, Salome, a woman of great beauty, danced for her stepfather, who enthusiastically offered to grant her the prize she wished. Then the young woman asked, following her mother's instructions, for the Baptist's head, which was given to her "on a silver platter". This biblical story has often been depicted in painting, as it offers the possibility of depicting exotic settings and half-naked women without abandoning the biblical repertoire, although it is not about this particular work. Salome was a princess, daughter of Herod Philip and Herodias, and stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, related to the death of St. John the Baptist in a story told in the New Testament (Matthew and Mark). Herodias, wife of Herod Philip, married in a scandalous way with the half-brother of this one, Herod Antipas, which provoked a war, since Herod Antipas had repudiated for it his previous wife, daughter of the Nabataean monarch. The attitude of the new marriage was very criticized by the people, since it was considered sinful, and one of those who most denounced it was John the Baptist, for which he was arrested, although Herod did not dare to execute him for fear of the popular anger. According to tradition, Salome, a woman of great beauty, danced for her stepfather, and he enthusiastically offered to grant her the prize she desired. Then the young woman asked, following her mother's instructions, for the Baptist's head, which was given to her "on a silver platter".