Judith Slaying Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi, 1620. (Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy) Oil on canvas, 158.8 x 125.5 cm.

A subject that has been a favorite of great artists such as Caravaggio, Cranach and Donatello is tackled here by Artemisia Gentileschi who unlike her predecessors, infuses a sense of tension that is graphic and bloody, rivaling even the great master of drama, Caravaggio. The scene depicts Judith and her maid in the middle of murdering Holofernes, an Assyrian general who intended on attacking Judith’s village of Bethulia. The drama and tension are undeniable, Judith’s face, lit from an unknown light source, is twisted in concentration while her maid holds Holofernes’ hands away as her lady finishes the deed. This painting is autobiographical: Judith is played by the artist herself while in the role of Holofernes is Agnostino Tassi, Artemisia’s mentor and abuser, who was tried in court for her rape. As one can see from the Art Real Size screenshot, the painting is large enough so that the viewer becomes an integral part of the action, coming face to face with Judith, her maid and the violence of the scene.

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