The elegant and expressive dancer standing in an undefined space is reminiscent of the biblical 'femme fatale', Salomé, dancing in ecstasy. Her expressive portrayal is a form of Mannerism resembling the women Sluijters painted during the first quarter of this century. For the style and colour-scheme of this painting, which was executed late in his career, Sluijters has clearly drawn on the techniques he favoured in his early work. The figure of Salomé reminds us of the dancer Gertrud Leistikow, who was painted several times by Sluijters in the 1920s. The decorative nature of this work is emphasized by the arabesque form made by her arms, and the elegant drapery of the scarf. All his life the elegance of women was a source of inspiration for Sluijters.

See colour illustration