Guido Reni, born in Bologna on November 4, 1575, was the son of Daniele Reni, musician and singer, and Ginevra Pozzi. He was baptized in the church of San Lorenzo and attended the Gugliemini high school in Bologna. His father showed him how to sing and taught him to play the harpsichord and other instruments. Instead of practicing to follow in her father's footsteps, Reni spent her time making sketches and figures in clay. It was not until Denis Calvaert, a famous Flemish painter, saw some of his drawings and sought Guido as an apprentice. Guido's father agreed to the apprenticeship on one condition: if he did not progress within a certain time, Guido had to return to music. At the age of 13, Reni was assigned to give instructions to his peers, which earned him respect. of his companions and superiors. At the age of 18, he was promoted to painting his master's bases, composing small paintings, and began selling his own works. At the age of 20, Reni was one of the first students of the first art academy which was the Carracci school. That same year, 1594, after the death of his father, Reni began drawing sketches, painting bases and drawing from the subjects assigned to him. It was a time when he dedicated himself to the execution of several small religious compositions for the churches and nobles of Bologna. In 1598, Reni left the Carracci academy. This was due to disputes over payments to establish a pattern of financial obligations, which he would struggle with throughout his career. Reni moved to Rome in 1601, where he devoted himself to drawing and redrawing ancient statues, both with pencil and pen. . He became familiar with the spirit of Greek art. Its first...... middle of paper...... announces "as coldly as a mistress assessing an ox's head". Reni seems to want to show that death and cruelty are commonplace among the courts and their nobles. Reds and greens were used, accented with rich gold. The color fades from the center, focusing the viewer's attention on Salome. The story of Salome has been a favorite of painters and has been depicted in many ways. Salome was the daughter of Herodias and Herod II, ruler of Galilee. According to the story, her father asked her to dance for him at a banquet, promising her whatever she asked for in return. Herodias, angry with Saint John the Baptist for criticizing her marriage, pushed her to ask for the head of Saint John the Baptist. Herod had imprisoned John for condemning marriage which violated Mosaic law. He was afraid of having the prophet killed, but Salomé did indeed ask for John's head..