Tonal

This painting depicts an episode from the
Gospel of Mathew and Mark. Moreau created
many images based upon this story creating
19 paintings and over 150 sketches.
In this painting you can see the
King Herod Antipas seated
upon his throne while the
princess Salome dances in
front of him. In this painting the
King is supposedly enjoying
the festivities that have been
arranged for his birthday.
The King did not break his word and he
brought her the head of St John the
Baptist, even though he didn’t approve.
The head was brought in on a charger
and given to her. In this painting you can
see Salome standing to the left hand
side of the painting pointing towards the
vision of the head of St John the Baptist.
Salome then handed her mother the
head because she had gotten her
revenge. Herodias was in fact actually
the Kings 3 rd wife but Salome was only
his step daughter.
The King enjoyed the dance by Salome
so much that he promised her she
could have anything she wanted.
Salome consulted her mother,
Herodias, who wanted the head of St
John the Baptist. Herodias was
believed to want the head of St John
the Baptist because of his comments
on her marriage. However it is also
believed it was because she was in
love with him.