The Story of Salome
The story of Salome has fascinated artists and writers for centuries. She was a woman who cared for Jesus, stood by him during his crucifixion, and prayed to the angel who told her that he would rise from the dead. She also found the empty tomb with Mary, Jesus' mother, and Mary Magdalene, and was one of the first people to see the risen Christ.
Salome as an Erotic Symbol
She was also an erotic symbol in art, especially during the Renaissance period. Many painters, including Masolino da Panicale, Filippo Lippi, and Benozzo Gozzoli, depicted Salome in strikingly beautiful and sensual ways.
Salome's Infamous Request
Salome's infamous request to kiss the head of John the Baptist is thought to be linked to her unrequited desire for John. Her passionate plea for him to give her his head has become a popular motif in literature and film, most notably in Oscar Wilde's play Salome (1893) and Richard Strauss's one-act opera of the same name (1905).
Oscar Wilde's Portrayal
In Wilde's play, Salome is presented as a woman who is deeply in love with John the Baptist. Her love for him is expressed in the famous "Dance of the Seven Veils," in which she dances to obtain her desires by demanding the head of John, whose decapitated body she later kisses with her lips.
Richard Strauss's Salome
Her lust for John the Baptist is further accentuated in Richard Strauss's 1905 Salome, which was inspired by Wilde's work. The drama focuses on Herod's lust for Salome and on her desire for John the Baptist.
The Musical Style
The musical style of Salome is characterized by extended tonality, chromaticism, unusual modulations, polytonality, and tonal ambiguity. It is also marked by a strong emphasis on harmony and emotion, as well as on contrasting modes of feeling.
Salome's Influence on Contemporary Art and Culture
Historically, the story of Salome has been connected with the rise of women in power and with the increase of public tolerance for sexual desires. It is this aspect of the story that has captured the imaginations of modern audiences. As Dierkes-Thrun notes, the resurgence of this figure as a fetish in art has been connected with the increased acceptance of sexuality, particularly in women's lives. It has also been associated with the emergence of a new understanding of female desire in the context of a world that values women's independence and the right to pursue their own desires. This thesis is based on an examination of the various literary, musical, and cinematic representations of Salome throughout history. The author will explore how Salome's popularity has influenced contemporary art and culture.
Salome in History
Biblical scholars have attributed her birth to 30 BCE and her subsequent activities to 7 BCE. She plotted against her mother, Herodias, and was a major enemy of Herod's sons, Alexander and Aristobulus (Josephus, Ant. 15:80-81). Her attempts to spy on her father and remove his wife, Mariamme, were successful. She was ultimately executed.
Adaptations in the 20th Century
During the 20th century, the story of Salome was adapted as a silent film in 1923, and it has also been retold on stage. The National Theatre has filmed a version of the play under the NTLive series Directed by Yael Farber, which has been critically acclaimed.
