On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00428
- Author
- Titian [Vecellio di Gregorio Tiziano] (Italian)
- Title
- Salome with the Head of John the Baptist
- Chronology
- Ca. 1550
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 87 cm x 80 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Salome, the daughter of Herod
Philip and Herodias, asks Herod for
the head of Saint John the Baptist
as payment for her dancing (Matthew
14, 3-12; Mark 6, 17-29; Luke 3,
19-20).
The composition focuses on Salome,
who is brightly lit, relegating
Saint John's head to the middle
ground. Salomé, whom Titian modeled
after his daughter, Lavinia, draws
the viewer into the event by
looking out from the
painting.
This work was purchased by the
Marquis of Leganés at the auction
of the belongings of Charles I of
England. It entered the Royal
Collection following the Marquis'
death in 1665 and was first listed
in the 1666 inventory of Madrid's
Alcázar Palace.
Location on the map
