HAWKINS, Richard
Description
Salome Painting: Green head
2011
Oil on canvas
24 x 20"
The title of this work alludes to the biblical story of Salome, who infamously appeals for the execution of John the Baptist after dancing for King Herod on his birthday. While the depiction of Salome exhibiting the severed head of John the Baptist has been a popular subject in art through the centuries, Hawkins take is particularly novel. Rather than focusing on the female protagonist, the artist emphasizes the victims ghoulish head, which seems to hover over a smoking barrel. Like many other examples of Hawkins works, this painting references the subjects prevalence in art history and points to the relationship between desire, sex, and violence. Signed LH and dated 11 at lower right.
Date
2011
Creator
HAWKINS, Richard
b. United States, 1961
Source
Gift of Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Beverly Hills
Identifier
2018.017.018
Collection
Citation
HAWKINS, Richard and b. United States, 1961, “HAWKINS, Richard,” UCSB ADA Museum Omeka, accessed April 25, 2024, http://art-collections.museum.ucsb.edu/items/show/10737.