About this artwork
Herodias’ daughter, Salome, had danced so beautifully that Herod had promised to grant her any wish. Prompted by Herodias, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist. This was Herodias’ revenge for the Baptist’s outspoken criticism of her marriage to Herod. Here Salome presents Saint John the Baptist’s head to King Herod. Herod shrinks back in horror. To his left, Herodias prods the Baptist’s tongue with a fork. Rubens conveys the dramatic moment through the actions and expressions of his larger than life size figures, his rich colours and bold contrasts of light and shadow. The picture was probably painted for Gaspar de Roomer, a Flemish merchant based in Naples, and inspired a number of Italian artists.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577 - 1640) Flemish
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title:The Feast of Herod
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date created:About 1635 - 1638
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:208.30 x 271.50 x 5.00 cm; Framed: 245.40 x 308.60 x 13.00 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased 1958
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accession number:NG 2193
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Sir Peter Paul Rubens
Sir Peter Paul Rubens
Rubens, an outstanding artist, scholar and diplomat, enjoyed a long, prolific and internationally successful career. He painted themes from the Bible and classical mythology, portraits, landscapes and allegorical subjects. After spending eight years in Italy, he returned to Antwerp in 1608, where...