Antonio Bellucci (1654–1726)

Antonio Bellucci gave up his original intention to pursue a military career and became a painter. He studied in Venice under the guidance of Andrea Celesti, Pietro Liberi, and Antonio . Like other representatives of Venetian painting (Sebastiano Ricci, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo) he accepted painting commissions in northern Italy, where he created magnificent frescoes for the palaces of local patrons. For a certain period he also resided at the court of Johann Wilhelm, Elector Palatinate. The theme of the painting is the famous scene of Salome with the head of John the Baptist. The painting shows the moment when Salome accepts a bowl containing John's severed head. On the ground lies his bleeding body; Herod's banquet in the background. (expert opinion: Dario Succi, Gorizia)