Italian school (XVII) - Il banchetto di Erode con Salomè e la testa del Battista - cm224x293

Great Italian painting from the XVII century. Oil on canvas, monumental in size, depicting the Massacre of Herod with Salome and the head of Saint John the Baptist. The scene, intense and theatrical, captures the climactic moment of the gospel narrative: the head of the Baptist is brought on a tray in the presence of Salome, Herod, and the guests. On the left, a splendid maid introduces the macabre trophy on a tray, while Salome, elegantly seated at the table, turns her head with a refined, almost dancing movement. Herod, caught in a grave and meditative expression, dominates the psychological center of the scene.

The work stands out for its scenographic arrangement, the rich coloristic of the draperies, and the strong narrative tension, with figures arranged like actors on a stage. Particularly evocative is the still life at the center of the composition and the presence, on the right edge, of a character facing directly toward the observer, perhaps the artist’s self-portrait. A painting of extraordinary painting quality and rich in precious details, attributable to the late Mannerist Tuscan figurative culture of the early seventeenth century.

From a decorative point of view the painting has an extraordinary presence. Its large size, the dark theatrical background, and the intense color of the costumes make it ideal for prestigious environments: reception halls, libraries, historic homes, and luxury hotels. Spectacular carved, silvered and lacquered wood frame, with some signs of aging that give it even more charm. The frame was created by a skilled craftsman for the painting in the twentieth century with antique frontal decorative elements and a solid, modern rear frame structure. A rare frame in terms of quality and size, which completes and embellishes an already exceptional work. The painting has already undergone restoration with a lining, replacement of the canvas, and retouching of color in small points. Overall in good conservational state. Painted size H 187 x L 256 cm.