Photo of collection object Salome with the Head of John the Baptist
Knüpfer, Nikolaus. Salome with the Head of John the Baptist, c. 1650. pen and brown ink, brown washes and white heightening (oxidized), over black chalk on antique laid paper; framing lines in pen and brown ink, Sheet: 33.4 x 27.9 cm (13 1/8 x 11 in.). John L. Severance Fund, 2019.8. CC0.

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

c. 1650

Nicolaus Knupfer

Nicolaus Knupfer (Dutch, 1603–1655)

Drawings

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist, c. 1650. Nicolaus Knupfer (Dutch, 1603–1655). Pen and brown ink, brown washes and white heightening (oxidized), over black chalk on antique laid paper; framing lines in pen and brown ink; sheet: 33.4 x 27.9 cm (13 1/8 x 11 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 2019.8 The Utrecht artist Nicolaes Knupfer was known for depicting powerful women who outsmarted or overpowered men. This drawing, probably a study for a painting, depicts the New Testament story of Salome, who was granted a wish by King Herod after dancing for him. Encouraged by her mother, Herodias, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist, against whom Herodias bore a grudge for objecting to her marriage to the king. The scene shows the theatrical moment after the beheading, when a stoic Salome holds a salver to receive the head. The stoic Salome in this drawing awaits the head of John the Baptist so that she can deliver it to King Herod on a salver.
Maker/Artist
Knüpfer, Nikolaus
Classification
Drawing
Formatted Medium
pen and brown ink, brown washes and white heightening (oxidized), over black chalk on antique laid paper; framing lines in pen and brown ink
Dimensions
Sheet: 33.4 x 27.9 cm (13 1/8 x 11 in.)
Departments
Drawings
Accession Number
2019.8
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund
Rights Statement
CC0

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