Cleveland Museum of Art

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

Nicolaus Knupfer

Date

c. 1650

Medium

pen and brown ink, brown washes and white heightening (oxidized), over black chalk on antique laid paper; framing lines in pen and brown ink

Culture

Netherlands

Department

Drawings

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Utrecht artist Nicolaes Knupfer was known for depicting powerful women who outsmarted or overpowered men. This drawing, probably a study for a painting, depicts the New Testament story of Salome, who was granted a wish by King Herod after dancing for him. Encouraged by her mother, Herodias, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist, against whom Herodias bore a grudge for objecting to her marriage to the king. The scene shows the theatrical moment after the beheading, when a stoic Salome holds a salver to receive the head. The stoic Salome in this drawing awaits the head of John the Baptist so that she can deliver it to King Herod on a salver.

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