LOUIS JOSEPH CONVERS (1860-1915/19) Salomé Sculpture in plaster Titled on the front of the base 164 x 70 x 75 cm Plaster Titled to the front of the base 64 5/8 x 27 1/2 x 29 1/2 in. Exhibition Exposition Universelle de 1900, Paris, Grand Palais (similar model in marble). Permanent collection, Paris, Petit Palais (similar model in terracotta). Bibliography "Catalogue général officiel de l'Exposition universelle de 1900", Paris, Imprimeries Lemercier, France, 1900, artist mentioned p.30. "Catalogue illustré officiel de l'exposition décennale des beaux arts, 1889 à 1900", Imprimeries Lemercier, France, 1900, similar model in plaster reproduced in black and white p.38. Note Louis Joseph Convers, French sculptor and medallist, was born on 4 September 1860 in Paris. A student of Aimé Millet, Jules Cavelier and Félix-Joseph Barrias at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he won the Prix de Rome for sculpture in 1888. He won a gold medal at the 1900 Universal Exhibition for four of his marble sculptures: L'Enigme, La Légende, La Justice and Salomé. This depiction of a scene from the New Testament evokes the "decollation" or beheading of John the Baptist, who denounced Herod Antipas' union with Heriodade, his brother's wife. Salome asks to be presented with the head of her mother's informer on a platter. In this representation, unlike the version exhibited at the Grand Palais in 1900, the head is not represented, but the platter rests at her feet.