The Dance of Salome (detail) 1462

This detail from Benozzo Gozzoli's 1462 fresco, *The Dance of Salome*, depicts the moment when John the Baptist's severed head is brought to Salome, who sits with a woman, both wearing richly colored dresses. This detail from a larger work showcases Gozzoli's signature style of storytelling through vivid narrative detail and expressive figures. The scene captures the drama of the biblical tale, with the executioner's sword still raised, the severed head presented on a plate, and John the Baptist praying on the floor. This detail demonstrates the power of the painting's emotional impact, conveying the somberness of the event and the complexities of its religious symbolism.