Salome

Acrylic painting on canvas.

30 x 40cm.

Persuaded by her mother Herodias, Salome performs the dance of the seven veils to seduce her stepfather Herod into giving her what she wants - the head of John the Baptist on a plate. John had condemned the marriage of Herodias and Herod because Herodias was a divorcee. Herod reluctantly ordered St John's execution and Salome presented his head on a platter to her mother.

Frequently depicted in art and literature, not to mention the bible, Salome was nonetheless an actual person. In Oscar Wilde's play the decapitation is revenge for having been spurned by John, whose severed head she scandalously kisses passionately on the mouth.