Judith and Holofernes
Artist: Artemisia Gentileschi
1620-21
Painting
This dynamic painting depicts the Biblical story of the pious widow Judith and her attendant Abra as they behead the struggling Assyrian general Holofernes. When Holofernes besieged and threatened to destroy her city, Judith adorned herself and went out to meet him on the pretext of offering information. Intending to seduce her, he invited her into his tent for dinner but as the Bible says, "was so enchanted with her that he drank far more wine than he had drunk on any other day in his life." Taking a sword, Judith beheaded him and returned with his head in a basket to the city, where she was acclaimed as a hero.
This oil on canvas painting is in The Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Judith and Holofernes
Artist: Donatello
1464
Sculpture
Donatello’s sculpture depicting the famous Biblical story of Judith slaying Holofernes is arguably one of the most iconic artistic portrayals of this story that’s ever been done.
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