The artwork “Salome with the Head of St John the Baptist” by Sandro Botticelli, dated circa 1488, is a religious painting executed in tempera on panel. Measuring 21 by 41 cm, it belongs to the Early Renaissance art movement and is currently housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
In the composition, Salome is depicted holding the severed head of St John the Baptist on a platter. She appears to be walking towards the left side of the panel, where a dark, barred door is present. The scene is set against a backdrop marked by a solid red brick wall topped with battlements, suggesting an enclosed city space. The contrast between the vivid color of the wall and the muted tones of the landscape behind it emphasizes the gravity of the moment. The artwork vividly captures the tension and drama of the biblical story, with Salome’s focused expression and the lifeless, serene face of St John the Baptist epitomizing the stark finality of the event. Botticelli’s meticulous attention to detail and use of color enhances the dramatic impact of the painting, making it a compelling piece of religious art.
