Salome

Paul Manship, Salome, 1915, bronze, 18 1⁄2 x 13 5⁄8 x 10 3⁄8 in. (47.0 x 34.6 x 26.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.34

Artwork Details

Title
Salome
Artist
Founder
Roman Bronze Works
Date
1915
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
18 1⁄2 x 13 5⁄8 x 10 3⁄8 in. (47.0 x 34.6 x 26.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — New Testament — Salome
  • Performing arts — dance
  • State of being — death — execution
  • Religion — saint — St. John the Baptist
Object Number
1966.47.34
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.47.34

Artwork Description

In the New Testament, Salome is King Herod's beautiful stepdaughter. Herod was so entranced with Salome that he offered her anything "unto the half of my kingdom" if she performed the Dance of the Seven Veils for his birthday (Mark 6:21). John the Baptist had angered Salome by rejecting her, and after she performed her seductive dance she asked Herod for John's head on a silver platter. This biblical story of royal intrigue, sex, and murder has inspired many artists, including composer Richard Strauss and author Oscar Wilde, whose 1893 stage version was banned in England for more than thirty years. Here, Salome's elaborate drapery and long limbs lead the viewer's eye to the decapitated head, emphasizing her bittersweet victory over the prophet.

Works by this artist (11 items)

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Image Not Available
Grinding Stone Mountain, Kweilin
Artist
ink
Not on view
Thomas George, Night Blossom II, 1965, color woodcut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.23.2
Night Blossom II
Artist
Date1965
color woodcut on paper
Not on view
Thomas George, (Oslo Fjord) (from series, Norway), ca. 1972, woodcut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1974.3.4
(Oslo Fjord) (from series, Norway)
Artist
Dateca. 1972
woodcut on paper
Not on view
Thomas George, Norway Series #9 (Lofoten), 1966, brush and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1967.21
Norway Series #9 (Lofoten)
Artist
Date1966
brush and ink on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

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William H. Johnson, Study for War Voyage, ca. 1942-1943, gouache and pen and ink with pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.137
Study for War Voyage
Artist
Dateca. 1942-1943
gouache and pen and ink with pencil on paperboard
Not on view
Herbert Bayer, Waste Paper to Package, from the Early Series, 1942, gouache, pen and ink, crayon, paper, and pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.27
Waste Paper to Package, from the Early Series
Artist
Date1942
gouache, pen and ink, crayon, paper, and pencil on paperboard
Not on view
Ralph Rosenborg, Country Scene, 1937, watercolor, gouache, and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from General Services Administration, 1971.447.79
Country Scene
Artist
Date1937
watercolor, gouache, and ink on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Killed in Action, ca. 1942, gouache, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.144
Killed in Action
Artist
Dateca. 1942
gouache, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view