“Feast of Herod,” created in 1531 by the esteemed artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, exemplifies the Northern Renaissance art movement. This oil painting on wood, measuring 80 by 117 centimeters, represents a religious tableau and is presently housed in the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut, United States.
The artwork vividly captures a dramatic biblical scene with a pivotal focus on the macabre presentation of John the Baptist’s head on a platter, indicative of the solemn narrative from the Gospels. The central figure is Salome, poised elegantly, holding the platter with a composed yet sinister demeanor. The gathering around the table includes King Herod, distinct with his fur-lined robes and intense expression, along with several onlookers whose expressions vary from shock to indifference. The sumptuous table, adorned with fruits and embellished with rich textiles, contrasts the grim subject matter. Cranach’s detailed attention to the figures’ ornate garments, the lush textures, and the expressive faces reinforces the thematic gravitas and enhances the viewer’s engagement with the depicted event.
