The Apparition (Dance of Salome)

painting by Gustave Moreau

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June 18, 2026

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Gustave Moreau's painting, The Apparition (Dance of Salome), depicts a scene from the biblical story of Salome. Salome was the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, a Roman ruler. According to the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Herod imprisoned John the Baptist for condemning his marriage. At a festival, Salome danced for Herod, who promised her anything she desired. Prompted by her mother, Salome demanded John the Baptist's head. Moreau's work, along with others, became popular during the Renaissance and is known for its exotic eroticism and violence, often using dramatic lighting and jewel-like colors.12

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Gustave Moreau
…the Sphinx (1864) and his The Apparition (Dance of Salome) (c. 1876) and Dance of Salome (c. 1876) show his work becoming increasingly concerned with exotic eroticism and violence, and his richly crowded canvases made greater use of dramatic lighting to heighten his brilliant, jewel-like colours. His last work, Jupiter…
Read More
…the Sphinx (1864) and his The Apparition (Dance of Salome) (c. 1876) and Dance of Salome (c. 1876) show his work becoming increasingly concerned with exotic eroticism and violence, and his richly crowded canvases made greater use of dramatic lighting to heighten his brilliant, jewel-like colours. His last work, Jupiter…
Read More