Herod and Herodias c. late 15th century

This small bronze plaquette depicts Herod and Herodias and renders a story of power, lust, and retribution. The story originates in the New Testament and tells of King Herod’s unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife. John the Baptist condemned the union, and Herod imprisoned him. The scene shows Salome, Herodias's daughter, presenting Herod with John the Baptist's head on a platter, fulfilling a promise made in exchange for her seductive dance. Herodias orchestrated this gruesome request, fueled by her resentment towards John. Looking at this plaquette, consider the interplay of gender and power. Herod is shown as a weak ruler manipulated by Herodias’s desire. The image invites us to reflect on how historical narratives often portray women who seek power as villainous. It emphasizes the emotional dimensions of the story.