Salomé

Leon Goldin

Leon Goldin studied intaglio printmaking with Mauricio Lasansky at the University of Iowa, where he received his MFA.

This Surreal etching of Salomé is experimental, using etching and sandpaper aquatint to create this Picasso-like composition, based on the legend of Salomé and John the Baptist. Biblical stories and mythology were a source for the Surrealists of the 1930s and 40s. Herod sits on his throne as Salomé dances.

Regarding Salomé, Mark's account (6:21–28) reads: "...A convenient day arrived when Herod spread an evening meal on his birthday for his high officials and the military commanders and the most prominent men of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias came in and danced, pleasing Herod and those dining with him.

The king said to the girl: 'Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you." Yes, he swore to her: "Whatever you ask me for, I will give it to you, up to half my kingdom.' So she went out and said to her mother: 'What should I ask for?' She said: 'The head of John the Baptizer.' She immediately rushed in to the king and made her request, saying: 'I want you to give me right away on a platter the head of John the Baptist...'

This work was not editioned and exists in proofs only.