Salome with the Head of John the Baptist
Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen
1524
Salome danced seductively for King Herod, and, as a reward, she was granted a wish. Urged on by her mother Herodias, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist, who had criticized Herodias’ adultery with the king. Salome is showing us her prize, the saint’s head on a platter.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · Image: Rijksmuseum, Public domain · Text: Rijksmuseum, CC0