Feast of Herod 1531

Lucas Cranach the Elder's "Feast of Herod" (1531) depicts the biblical story of Herod's birthday celebration, where the head of John the Baptist is presented to Salome on a platter. The painting, now housed at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut, captures the macabre and dramatic moment, with vivid colors and detailed figures. Cranach's use of symbolism and vivid imagery exemplifies the Northern Renaissance style. The scene is rendered with a sense of realism, highlighting the grotesque nature of the event and the stark contrast between the lavish feast and the severed head.