The Apparition 142×103 cm 1876 Collection of the Musée Gustave Moreau Gustave Moreau (1826~1898) is one of the most representative painters of French Symbolism. Fond of Greek myths and stories, within his deep inner dream consciousness, his works possess a strong literary quality, like a poetic and illusory legend. He was initially influenced by both Delacroix and Chasseriau, went to Italy in 1857 to study classical art, completed his formal art training two years later, and returned to France. In 1864, he participated in the Salon with a work depicting Oedipus and the Sphinx from Greek mythology, which sparked intense debate but also demonstrated his increasingly mature personal style and superb artistic talent. Five years later, Moreau ceased participating in the Salon to focus on developing his artistic creations.

The surrealist Breton recalled the poet Mallarmé's view of Moreau's work: "This kind of painting is captivating; he praised these vivid unrealities, stemming from the perverse ignorance of ancient myths and their power of bewitching, ambiguous imagery." Then Breton paid the highest tribute to Moreau, saying: "When I visited the Musée Gustave Moreau at 17, it made me love it for life."

The Apparition (142×103 cm, created in 1876) is one of Moreau's most famous works. It depicts the bewitching legendary story of Salome dancing wildly before Herod to obtain the head of John the Baptist. After the ecstatic Salome obtains the head of John the Baptist, she adorns and beautifies it, then brings it into this imagined grand structure of an oriental palace or cathedral. With her magical power, Salome levitates the head of John the Baptist (in a Christ-like image) in mid-air, presenting a dramatic dreamlike and legendary event within a bewitching magical and imaginary space. The painter explained: "This woman Salome embodies the eternal feminine, a light bird, often fatal, who, through a sentimental life, seeks her ideal wave, often terrifying, walking repeatedly, trampling everything, even geniuses and saints. Her ecstatic dance, her mysterious stroll, is practiced before death, confronting this cruel catastrophe. This omen, this terrifying prospect, is reserved for this nameless ideal seeker, sensual and unhealthy curiosity. A saint, a decapitated head at the end of the road, will be filled with the fragrance of flowers. The entire event takes place in a mysterious temple, possessing a serious state of mind and an extraordinary concept."