Salome and the Young Syrian
The woman is Salome. The second figure is generally assumed to be the Young Syrian of Wilde's play.
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The Peacock Skirt
Aubrey Beardsley · 1893
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In its time
1893
Books from this period
The Peacock Skirt shows Salome, who appears in Oscar Wilde's play Salome, which Beardsley's drawing illustrates. It is a drawing in black ink. The second figure is generally assumed to be the Young Syrian of Wilde's play.
Details
Look first at the robe, which gives the picture its name: Salome's long robe is decorated with a stylised peacock-feather pattern. Then follow the peacock to her hair, where she wears peacock feathers, and find the peacock itself, which appears beside her.
In context
A skirt of peacock feathers
Salome's long robe is decorated with a stylised peacock-feather pattern.
Peacocks everywhere
Salome wears peacock feathers in her hair. A peacock appears in the picture beside her.
For Wilde's play
The drawing illustrates Oscar Wilde's play Salome. It is a drawing in black ink.
On these book covers
Book covers use a cropped detail.