Tracing the decadent movement at large and Oscar Wilde’s obsession with Salome is so fun. Possibly the most sinful story from the New Testament, it seems like these men who rejected religion (due to religion rejecting them tbf) were fascinated by the extreme perversity of the scene. It’s cool how Wilde was inspired by Against Nature and its analysis of Moreau’s painting of Salome, which he had Dorian Gray fall in love with, while his own version has become so influential in art and pop culture since (he came up with the dance of the seven veils). It’s an unlikely story of female empowerment, where Salome uses her attraction to defy men, like her step father Herod, and preserve her pureness. It also makes for an interesting exploration of gender and sexual dynamics. Very Wilde in many ways, overall exquisite.