What is the subject matter of Judith Slaying Holofernes?
The canvas shows Judith beheading Holofernes. The subject takes an episode from the apocryphal Book of Judith in the Old Testament, which recounts the assassination of the Assyrian general Holofernes by the Israelite heroine Judith.
Why did Artemisia Gentileschi create Judith Slaying Holofernes?
Biblical Inspiration Artemisia Gentileschi was inspired to paint Judith Slaying Holofernes by a story told in the Book of Judith from the Old Testament. The story says, Judith was a widow of great beauty who lived in the Israelite town of Bethulia.
Is Judith Slaying Holofernes Baroque?
Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith Beheading Holofernes is not a painting easily forgotten. Today, the dramatic scene is among the most well-known images of the Baroque era and most art lovers are at least vaguely familiar with the painting’s autobiographical and feminist interpretations.
Is Judith a real story?
It is generally accepted that the Book of Judith is ahistorical. The fictional nature “is evident from its blending of history and fiction, beginning in the very first verse, and is too prevalent thereafter to be considered as the result of mere historical mistakes.”
What happened to Holofernes in the Book of Judith?
Abra, the maidservant of Judith, a Jewish widow renowned for her beauty and charm, wraps the severed head of the Assyrian general Holofernes in a bag. He has been murdered, brutally, by Judith, immediately after she had seduced him.
When did Donatello make Judith and Holofernes?
Donatello created the spectacular bronze piece Judith and Holofernes near the end of his life and career. The piece was one of just a few completed after Donatello returned to Florence from Padua between 1457-1464.
What did Abra do to Holofernes in the Bible?
Abra, the maidservant of Judith, a Jewish widow renowned for her beauty and charm, wraps the severed head of the Assyrian general Holofernes in a bag. He has been murdered, brutally, by Judith, immediately after she had seduced him. In doing so, she has saved Israel from its oppressor.