After Paul Delaroche (1797-1856) - 19th Century Oil Herodias

Description

A fine 19th-century oil after Paul Delaroche (1797-1856), depicting Salome and her mother, Herodias, with the severed head of John the Baptist. Salome, poised and youthful, presents the grisly trophy, while Herodias regards it with a cold, resolute authority. The artist’s careful handling of drapery, expression and light reinforces the sense of historical drama Delaroche was renowned for. Signed illegibly to the lower left. Beautifully presented in an ornate frame. On panel.

Condition

Light abrasions throughout. Small areas of overpainting visible under UV light. Overall, the artwork is in very good condition for its age. The frame is in fine condition.

Size

39 x 25.5cm (15.4" x 10.0")
Framed Size: 54 x 41.5cm (21.3" x 16.3")

Artist Biography

Paul Delaroche (1797-1856) was a prominent French painter of the early 19th century, celebrated for his historical and genre scenes. Born in Paris, he studied under Pierre-Joseph Watelet and, from 1818, the renowned history painter Baron Gros, while receiving encouragement from Théodore Géricault. Delaroche made his Salon debut in 1822, gaining widespread acclaim with The Execution of Lady Jane Grey in 1834. Known for his meticulously detailed and emotionally charged compositions, he often depicted tragic historical events, though he also painted portraits and religious subjects. While his work enjoyed broad international recognition during his lifetime, critics like Théophile Gautier later described his style as overly literary. Delaroche’s careful attention to realism and dramatic narrative made him one of the most influential French painters of his era.