Who painted Salome with the head of St. John, sketch?

Salome with the head of St. John, sketch was painted by Maurycy Gottlieb.

Where can I see Salome with the head of St. John, sketch?

Salome with the head of St. John, sketch is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Salome with the head of St. John, sketch?

Salome with the head of St. John, sketch is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Salome with the head of St. John, sketch

Maurycy Gottlieb

Salome with the head of St. John, sketch is an oil painting by the Realist artist Maurycy Gottlieb. It is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1889, this oil sketch by Maurycy Gottlieb portrays the biblical scene of Salome holding the severed head of John the Baptist. Executed in a realist style, the work captures a moment of quiet contemplation, with the figure illuminated by a subtle golden light within a dim interior.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on Salome, depicted in a flowing robe, her gaze lowered and expression somber as she contemplates the beheaded martyr. The painting emphasizes themes of remorse and reverence, inviting viewers to reflect on the moral weight of the narrative.

Technique & Style

Gottlieb employs chiaroscuro to model the figure against a richly patterned background, allowing the interplay of light and shadow to highlight facial expression and the texture of the severed head. The brushwork remains loose, characteristic of a preparatory study, yet retains the precise observation typical of realism.

History & Provenance

A student of Jan Matejko, Gottlieb produced this sketch as a study for a larger composition before his untimely death at twenty‑three. The work entered the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of 19th‑century Polish art.

Context

The piece reflects the late‑19th‑century Polish interest in biblical and historical subjects, aligning with Romantic sensibilities while adhering to realist techniques. Gottlieb’s Jewish heritage and his engagement with Christian iconography illustrate the cross‑cultural artistic dialogues of his era.

Artist & collection

Artist

Maurycy Gottlieb

Maurycy Gottlieb (; 21 February 1856 – 17 July 1879) was a Polish-Jewish realist painter of the Romantic period. Considered one of the most talented students of Jan Matejko, Gottlieb died at the age of 23.