"Rodin's interest in the character of St. John the Baptist led him, some years after the life-size figure of St. John the Baptist Preaching, to treat a later episode in the story, the moment immediately after the beheading of John at the request of Salome."
(J. Tancock op.cit.)

In 1887 Rodin made two version in bronze of this subject which adhere very closely to previous representations of it. Both models were also carved in marble, the present work being a unique rendition of the first version.