Judith and her Maidservant

Judith and her Maidservant

Judith and her Maidservant by Artemisia Gentileschi is an oil on canvas painting depicting the story of the heroine Judith killing Holofernes. Judith beheads the general Holofornes, as his head is seen in a basket in the lower left of the painting. Biblically speaking, Judith is able to behead Holofornes after he invites her into his home. After having a few too many drinks, Holofornes passes out and Judith takes advantage of the situation and beheads him.

This painting was originally documented in 1638 to be in the possession of the Grand Duchess Maria Maddalena of Austria. This painting was based on Artemisia's fathers' artwork, "Judith and her maidservant with the head of Holofernes", c. 1608, by Orazio Gentileschi. They depicted the same story, but Artemisia had a more realistic representation of facial expression, and used a completely different color scheme. Artemisia was known to use these maroon and gold tones during her time in Florence. Additonally, Artemisia's added detail of Medusa's head on the pommel of Judith's sword helps represent the anger and aggression within this painting.

Artemisia Gentileschi, Italian, 1593–c.1654

Artemisia IFS report August 2020 - National gallery. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/media/35279/artemisia-ifs-report_august-2020.pdf.

“Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi: Father and Daughter Painters in Baroque Italy.” Metmuseum.org. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed October 11, 2021. https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2002/orazio-and-artemisia-gentileschi/photo-gallery.

Pitti Palace, Florence

c. 1615

Jason Post

Public Domain

114cm x 93.5cm

Painting

Pitti Palace, Florence, Italy