Pierre-Félix Louÿs was a Belgian poet and writer, most renowned for lesbian and classical themes in some of his writings. He is known as a writer who sought to "express pagan sensuality with stylistic perfection". He was made first a Chevalier and then an Officer of the Légion d'honneur for his contributions to French literature.
Louÿs, c. 1890-1900
Image: Signature Pierre Louÿs 1898
Salome is a one-act tragedy by Oscar Wilde. The original version of the play was first published in French in 1893; an English translation was published a year later. The play depicts the attempted seduction of Jokanaan by Salome, stepdaughter of Herod Antipas; her dance of the seven veils; the execution of Jokanaan at Salome's instigation; and her death on Herod's orders.
Illustration by Aubrey Beardsley for the first English edition of the play (1894)
Illustration for Salome, by Manuel Orazi
Lina Munte as Salome in the first production (1896)
Ida Rubinstein as Salome