Salome With The Head Of John The Baptist: Workshop Of Rembrandt Van Rijn

[poliphilo]

Here's a painting from Rembrandt's circle. It has been attributed to the great man himself (most unlikely- that's not how he lit a scene) and- more plausibly- to Carel Fabritius. Currently it seems to be securely anon. That it was produced in Rembrandt's workshop is almost certain. The executioner looks a lot like Rembrandt himself (that huge nose!)- and if not him could be some other member of the family. The model for Salome is (I think) Rembrandt's wife, Saskia.

So it's not a proper Rembrandt but it's good enough to be one. Psychologically charged. Consider the look that Salome is exchanging with the inscrutably bluff executioner. Conclusion: Rembrandt was a damn fine teacher.

Comments

[jfs.livejournal.com]

I'm intrigued by the chap just over the executioner's left shoulder, looking directly to camera. Looks almost like a photobomb :-)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

And what about the strange, sketchy, zombie face on the other side of the executioner?

[jfs.livejournal.com]

It's the new mash up classic - Salome With The Head Of John The Baptist And Zombies.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes!

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

I love the look on Salome/Saskia's face. She was not a pushover, was she? I love those feathers, and the hand on her hip.

Such careful details here-- look at the executioner. I like the way his face is all sunburned and wrinkly, and his chest and neck are white-- as if covered most of the time. The fact they are not covered now makes me think he just got up from bed, and threw some clothes on. He was late to the scene.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

He's your average, stoical working man. There's no accounting for what the toffs are going to ask for next, but he's getting paid for it so why worry? He seems to be saying, "Here you are, ma'am. So what do you want me to do with it now?"