Shop art print and framed art L'Apparition by Gustave Moreau

The Apparition is a painting by the French artist Gustave Moreau, painted between 1874 and 1876, which shows the biblical character of Salome dancing before Herod Antipas with a vision of the floating head of John the Baptist. This watercolour, 106 cm high and 72.2 cm wide, held by the Musée d'Orsay, depicts the episode from the Gospels Mt 14:6-11 and Mk 6:21-29. At a birthday party for Herod Antipas, the princess Salome dances in front of the king and his guest, pleasing him so much that he promises her everything she wants. Prompted by her mother Herodias, who has been reprimanded by the imprisoned John the Baptist for her illegitimate marriage to Herod, Salome asks for John the Baptist's head on a platter. With regret, but obliged to keep his word in front of his peers, Herod complies with Salome's request. John the Baptist is beheaded, his head placed on a platter and given to Salome, who gives it to her mother. Moreau tackled the biblical theme in 19 paintings, 6 watercolours and more than 150 drawings. Part of a series of at least 8 closely related paintings and over 40 sketches, L'Apparition is considered a key work by Gustave Moreau, Symbolism and fin-de-siècle art in general. When it was first exhibited at the Salon in 1876, the painting caused a sensation, making a lasting impression on a number of artists, particularly from the Decadent movement. Against the backdrop of a richly decorated palace inspired by the Alhambra, Salomé stands out with her veil strewn with [...]

 

This artwork is a painting from the modern period. It belongs to the symbolism style.

 

« L'Apparition » is kept at Musée Gustave Moreau, Paris, France.

 

Find the full description of L'Apparition by Gustave Moreau on Wikipedia.