Who painted Salome with the head of St John the Baptist?

Salome with the head of St John the Baptist was painted by Giovanni Gioseffo dal Sole in 1696.

Where can I see Salome with the head of St John the Baptist?

Salome with the head of St John the Baptist is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

Artwork

Salome with the head of St John the Baptist

Salome with the head of St John the Baptist is an oil painting by Giovanni Gioseffo dal Sole. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1696 by the Bolognese artist Giovanni Gioseffo dal Sole, this copper painting portrays the biblical episode of Salome presenting the severed head of John the Baptist. The work is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum’s collection and exemplifies the late‑Baroque interest in dramatic narrative and vivid coloration.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on Salome, shown holding a platter that bears the freshly cut head of the Baptist, while a second female figure in a brown mantle stands nearby, her gaze lowered. The direct eye contact of Salome with the viewer underscores the moral tension of triumph over martyrdom and the allure of power.

Technique & Style

Executed on copper, the painting benefits from the metal’s smooth surface, allowing dal Sole to render fine details and luminous tones. A strong chiaroscuro model—darkened background against bright, saturated robes—creates depth and heightens the scene’s emotional intensity, a hallmark of the Baroque aesthetic.

History & Provenance

Dal Sole rose to prominence in Bologna after the death of Carlo Cignani, eventually earning the nickname “Guido Moderno.” His reputation as a leading painter of the period secured the work’s entry into notable collections, and it now resides in the Fitzwilliam Museum, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing.