Salomon de Bray (1597 – 1664) Barebreasted Salmacis combing her hair, c. 1630, Oil on oak, 54.0 x 46.0 cm, The Louvre
The painting delves deeply into themes of desire and rejection, encapsulating Salmacis’s intense sensuality and desperation, a figure from Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’ who is famously portrayed as lustful and relentless in her pursuit of love. The artwork captures the moment of personal adornment. Salmacis combing her hair, symbolising her preparation for seduction and her deep-seated desire to attract Hermaphroditus, the object of her unrequited affection. Despite her fervent attempts to seduce him, her advances are met with rejection, leading to her ultimate, desperate prayer to be forever united with him. This appeal tragically culminates in their permanent fusion into one body.
This artistic choice to depict Salmacis in such a sensual manner reflects de Bray’s engagement with the emotional and physical tensions inherent in the myth. The painting portrays Salmacis not just as a figure of allure but also as a symbol of love and desire’s intense and often destructive power.