Daughter of Herodias with the Head of S. John - Franz Hanfstaengl

A masterful nineteenth-century lithograph by Franz Hanfstaengl, depicting the biblical narrative of Salome with the head of Saint John the Baptist.

This lithographic reproduction by Franz Hanfstaengl captures a dramatic biblical narrative. The subject, Salome, is depicted holding a charger containing the severed head of Saint John the Baptist. Hanfstaengl, a master of the lithographic process, translates the tonal qualities of oil painting into a monochrome medium with precision. The composition focuses on the contrast between the serene, almost detached expression of the woman and the grim reality of the object she carries.

Technically, the work demonstrates the high level of skill associated with nineteenth-century reproductive printmaking. Hanfstaengl utilised the lithographic stone to achieve a wide range of greys, from the deep shadows of the background to the delicate highlights on the pearls and the fabric of the dress. The octagonal framing provides a structured, formal presentation that draws the eye toward the central figures. The attention to the texture of the clothing and the ornamentation of the platter reflects the period's interest in historical accuracy and material detail.

Franz Hanfstaengl was a significant figure in the development of photography and printmaking in Munich. His studio became known for high-quality reproductions of works held in major European galleries. This specific print exemplifies the nineteenth-century practice of disseminating famous religious compositions to a wider audience through technical mastery of the lithographic medium. The work remains a study in chiaroscuro, where the play of light defines the forms and creates a sense of volume within the two-dimensional space. The print serves as a record of the aesthetic values of the mid-nineteenth century, where technical virtuosity in printmaking was held in high regard alongside the original painted compositions.