What is the story behind Judith and Holofernes?
The story behind Judith and Holofernes comes from the Bible – the deuterocanonical book of Judith. She creeps into the Assyrian camp, seduces Holofernes with her captivating beauty, waits until he is thoroughly drunk, and cuts off his head. She returns to her people victorious, holding up the severed head as a trophy.
Why did Judith cut off Holofernes head?
After three days had passed, Holofernes planned to seduce her after a lavish banquet, for he felt that “it would be a disgrace if we let such a woman go” (Judith 12:12). Late that night, as Judith was finally alone with Holofernes and the commander lay drunk on his bed, she seized his sword and cut off his head.
Why did Caravaggio paint Judith Slaying Holofernes?
The painting is Caravaggio’s interpretation of the Biblical story about how the widow Judith saved her people, the Israelites, by seducing and getting drunk the Assyrian general Holofernes before decapitating him with a sword. Caravaggio and Baroque painting went against the Renaissance tradition.
What is the ethnicity of Holofernes and Judith?
A beautiful Jewish widow named Judith left the besieged city in pretended flight and foretold to Holofernes that he would be victorious. Invited into his tent, she cut off his head as he lay in drunken sleep and brought it in a bag to Bethulia. A Jewish victory over the leaderless Assyrian forces followed.
Why did Artemisia paint Judith?
Early feminist critics interpreted the painting as a form of visual revenge following Gentileschi’s rape by Agostino Tassi in 1611; similarly many other art historians see the painting in the context of her achievement in portraying strong women. …
Why is Judith not in the Bible?
Reasons for its exclusion include the lateness of its composition, possible Greek origin, open support of the Hasmonean dynasty (to which the early rabbinate was opposed), and perhaps the brash and seductive character of Judith herself.
Who is the woman called Judith in the Bible?
Judith is an exemplary Jewish woman. Her deed is probably invented under the influence of the account of the 12th-century-bce Kenite woman Jael (Judg. 5:24–27), who killed the Canaanite general Sisera by driving a tent peg through his head.
What is the message of the painting Judith Beheading Holofernes?
The painting depicts the moment that Holfernes wakes from his stupor, just as Judith, aided by Abra her maidservant, is trying to behead him. It was a popular story often used by Italian Baroque artists to show women triumphing over tyrannical men.
Who commissioned Judith Beheading Holofernes Caravaggio?
The Uffizi Judith was likely either commissioned by or gifted to the Medici, Florence’s ruling family, the same family that commissioned Donatello’s famous bronze sculpture of Judith and Holofernes in the late 15th century (left).
Where was Artemisia Gentileschi born?
Rome, ItalyArtemisia Gentileschi / Place of birth
Who were Vermeer’s patrons?
van Ruijven
van Ruijven was Vermeer’s patron throughout most of his career. He lent Vermeer 200 guilders in 1657; his wife left the artist a conditional bequest of 500 guilders in her testament of 1665; he witnessed the testament of Vermeer’s sister Gertruy in 1670.
Is Judith Slaying Holofernes religious?
Judith is a devout Jewish woman, and her faith strengthens her to find a way to overcome the Assyrian invaders.
When did Lucas Cranach the elder die?
Judith with the Head of Holofernes, Lucas Cranach the Elder (c1530) Jonathan Jones Sat 10 Jan 2004 07.22 EST ·See the work online ·All articles in this series Artist:Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553) was a friend and follower of the founder of the Reformation, Martin Luther, and court artist to the Electors of Saxony.
What is the story of Judith and the head of Holofernes?
Judith with the Head of Holofernes ca. 1530. The Hebrew heroine Judith presents the severed head of the Assyrian general who besieged her city, having seduced and then beheaded him with his own sword. Appropriately, she is “dressed to kill” and wears an elaborate contemporary costume that would have appealed to Cranach’s courtly patrons.
Was Artemisia Gentileschi proud of the Uffizi Judith Slaying Holofernes?
Artemisia Gentileschi was clearly proud of the Uffizi Judith Slaying Holofernes, signing it in the lower right corner.
What is the Uffizi Judith Slaying Holofernes?
The Uffizi Judith Slaying Holofernes is Artemisia’s second telling of this narrative. The first, executed in Rome c. 1611-12 and now in the Capodimonte Museum in Naples (below, left), introduced the dynamic composition centered on the thrust and counter thrust of extended limbs. Artemisia refined the composition in the second (Uffizi) version.