GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico
(b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze)

Herod's Banquet (detail)

1486-90
Fresco
Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence

The beautiful Salome in the bluish shining dress is dancing in so animatedly that her dress is flapping behind her. Her moving arms are bent in an impetuous but still gracious manner. The vision bewitched King Herod to such a degree that he promised to fulfil her every desire. She then requested the cut off head of St John the Baptist, and this is already being presented to the banqueters on a platter on the left side of the fresco.