The painting in style and way it is portrayed seems to me that it draws from the story of John the Baptist. In that story, Salome who is the niece of Herod Antipas, dances for her uncle so well, that in his drunken stupor tells her that she may grant her anything she wants. In accordance with her mother’s wishes (Herod’s sister-in-law), she asks for John the Baptist’s head on a plate. In traditional iconography, John the Baptist is shown to hold a plate with his own head on it, with a very similar expression to the one in this painting.
In the painting’s case, the “executed” is most likely Aphrodite, representing Cyprus. The other figure is identified as “Saint Europe”. This could either be interpreted as a pro-European message, using the “deceased Cyprus” as a point of solidarity (unlikely), or anti-European, where calling Europe a saint is done ironically, as she is responsible for the martyrdom of Cyprus.
Lady Gaga stole a statue’s head
Just saw it the other day and was literally wondering the same thing! Is that the woman from the Lira’s head?
I think this is a ‘fuck around & find out’ kinda message
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political satire ?
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The painting in style and way it is portrayed seems to me that it draws from the story of John the Baptist. In that story, Salome who is the niece of Herod Antipas, dances for her uncle so well, that in his drunken stupor tells her that she may grant her anything she wants. In accordance with her mother’s wishes (Herod’s sister-in-law), she asks for John the Baptist’s head on a plate. In traditional iconography, John the Baptist is shown to hold a plate with his own head on it, with a very similar expression to the one in this painting.
In the painting’s case, the “executed” is most likely Aphrodite, representing Cyprus. The other figure is identified as “Saint Europe”. This could either be interpreted as a pro-European message, using the “deceased Cyprus” as a point of solidarity (unlikely), or anti-European, where calling Europe a saint is done ironically, as she is responsible for the martyrdom of Cyprus.
Lady Gaga stole a statue’s head
Just saw it the other day and was literally wondering the same thing! Is that the woman from the Lira’s head?
I think this is a ‘fuck around & find out’ kinda message
John the Baptist.