Salome with the Head of John the Baptist c. 1876

Gustave Moreau's "Salome with the Head of John the Baptist" (c. 1876), depicts the biblical story of Salome, a young woman who, after dancing for King Herod, demands the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. Moreau’s painting captures the moment of Salome’s victory, highlighting the stark contrast between her beauty and the severed head, echoing the unsettling nature of the story. The painting's rich color palette and evocative details contribute to the atmosphere of mystery and suspense, characteristic of Moreau's symbolic style.