Cesare da Sesto, Salome

At first, Salome looks like an innocent girl. Her garland is made of myrtle as Roman brides. A pearl, symbol of chastity, adorns her pink tunic.

Yet, the composition highlights her hand showing the severed head. The stone harpy exposes her true nature. On the Vienna version of the painting, the head of Medusa is also painted above the pearl, alluding to Salome’s bewitching beauty.