The Beheading of Holofernes by Judith is a story recounted in the Apocryphal, The Book of Judith. Judith’s city was being attacked by the Assyrian general, Holofernes. Judith, a beautiful widow, seduces Holofernes and when he is asleep, cuts off his head, thus saving her people from being destroyed.
There are many illustrations in various medium throughout history depicting this event. Prominently during the Baroque and Renaissance period Judith was shown slaying Holofernes with the assistance of her elderly maidservant or alone carrying the his head. There is a wonderful difference of perspective between male artists who painted the scene and female painters’ renditions. The women, Artemisia Gentileschi primarily, painted Judith with much more physical strength and aggression where as male painters, Caraivaggio for example, painted Judith as timid and hesitant. Artemisia was raped by an acquaintance of her father’s. She even endured a public trial when she brought accusations forward. It is said that the face of Holofernes she painted to mirror the face of her rapist.
There is a quote (author unknown) that states, “Men only get what they deserve in art.” I pay tribute to the interpretation of Artemisia and her willingness to portray women as both physically and mentally strong, persistent, and determined.
