Salome II
- Original dimensions
- 46 x 178 cm
- Museum
- Ca' Pesaro
- Year
- 1909
Scene depicted
This painting represents the legendary figure of Salomé, illuminated by a halo of gold and vibrant colors. Standing at the center of the composition, she embodies the femme fatale with a striking beauty, holding the audience between fascination and fear. The sinuous floral motifs, typical of Klimt, surround the silhouette, evoking an atmosphere that is both sensual and mystical, savoring the tension between desire and death.
Historical context
Year: 1909 |BRK| Museum: Ca' Pesaro |BRK| Dimensions: 46 x 178 cm
Place in the artist's career
“Salomé II” is part of a pivotal phase in Klimt's career, marked by notable works such as “ The Kiss ” or “ The Tree of Life ”. It is a period where he refines his technique, intensifying his explorations of sexuality, woman, and symbolism . In this composition , we discern a maturation of the artist, revealing emotions evoked by his other paintings , while standing out with a unique iconographic boldness.
Anecdote
“Art is a reflection of the soul.” This phrase from Klimt seems to resonate throughout the genesis of his canvas . One afternoon when the golden light bathed the streets of Vienna, the artist encountered a face that would move him: that of Salomé, the embodied mystery. This fleeting meeting would give birth to a work that is both intimate and universal, where each brushstroke tells a profound story.