The Feast of Herod: Salome's Dance (detail) 1464

Filippo Lippi's "The Feast of Herod: Salome's Dance (detail)" depicts a dramatic moment from the biblical story of Salome's dance for King Herod, which resulted in the beheading of John the Baptist. The painting, created in 1464, showcases Lippi's mastery of detail and realism, evident in the expressive faces and intricate drapery of the figures. Salome kneels gracefully, presenting the severed head of John the Baptist to Herod, while the surrounding figures react with a mixture of horror and intrigue. This powerful scene highlights the themes of power, betrayal, and divine retribution that resonate in the story of Salome.