Spanish school; 17th century.

Spanish school; XVII century.
"Salome with the head of the Baptist".
Oil on canvas.
It has frame of the twentieth century.
Measurements: 89 x 67 cm; 104 x 82 cm (frame).
According to the biblical history Herodias, wife of Herod Philip, married in a scandalous way with the stepbrother 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 wrath. 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". 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).