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Salome Receiving John the Baptist's Head on a Platter, from a Mirror of Holiness (Mir'at al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier
1602-1604
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, king of Judea, for criticizing the ruler’s marriage to his sister-in-law Herodius. Knowing of her husband’s respect for John, Herodius feared for her welfare. She ordered her daughter Salome to perform a dance for Herod who, enthralled by her beauty and skill, promised to give her anything she asked for. At the behest of her mother, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist, which is depicted here being presented on a platter. Herod, dressed in European clothing, sits on a Mughal-style throne as he witnesses the consequence of his imprudent vow.
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Details
- Title: Salome Receiving John the Baptist's Head on a Platter, from a Mirror of Holiness (Mir'at al-quds) of Father Jerome Xavier
- Date Created: 1602-1604
- Physical Dimensions: Sheet: 26.4 x 15.7 cm (10 3/8 x 6 3/16 in.); Image: 19.8 x 11.2 cm (7 13/16 x 4 7/16 in.)
- Provenance: An Indian family in Great Britain, whose grandfather brought the manuscript to England in the 1930s or 1940s through 2005, (Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch Ltd., London, UK, 2005, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art), The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 2005-present
- Type: Manuscript
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/2005.145.112.b
- Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, color and gold on paper
- Fun Fact: Column capitals in Herod’s palace have angels seated on upside-down lion heads.
- Department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Culture: Northern India, Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad, Mughal period
- Credit Line: John L. Severance Fund
- Collection: Indian Art
- Accession Number: 2005.145.112.b
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