Salammbô

Visual Composition and Subject Matter

The artwork is a vertical lithograph titled Salammbô, created in 1896. The composition is dominated by a central female figure, likely a representation of the character from Gustave Flaubert's novel, who stands with her head tilted back and arms outstretched in a trance-like state. She is adorned with intricate, Byzantine-inspired jewelry and a peacock-feather headdress. Below her, a smaller male figure, identified as the slave Taanach, is depicted in a kneeling or crouching position, playing an ebony harp. The scene is set on a terrace, featuring an ivory bed and four censers filled with nard, incense, cinnamon, and myrrh.

Style and Technique

This piece is a quintessential example of the Art Nouveau style. The technique utilizes flowing, curvilinear lines to define the figure's drapery, hair, and the surrounding decorative elements. The color palette is characterized by warm, saturated tones, including:

• Reds
• Oranges
• Yellows
• Creams
• Greens
• Subtle blues

The lithographic process creates a smooth, almost velvety texture, with layering used to establish a sense of depth and tactile richness within the decorative, organic forms.