Judith and Holofernes
Canvas
180x143 inch
The subject, taken from the Book of Judith, one of the books of the Old Testament, was extensively treated in the XNUMXth century. All of Europe was then the scene of multiple wars between cities or territories to define a new political map and everyone could identify with Judith who saved the city of Bethulia from the assault prepared by the troops of King Nebuchadnezzar. Accompanied by her servant Abra, she cunningly entered General Holofernes' tent and, after getting him drunk, beheaded him. We see here the moment when, having thrown the scimitar of Holofernes to the ground, she places his head in the bag held by Abra before returning triumphant to Bethulia. The bloody linen and the severed head of General Holofernes proclaim their victory.
As early as 1510/1511, Correggio set up a prototype of this composition (Strasbourg, Musée des Beaux-Arts). The candle held by Abra in the foreground reminds us that the scene takes place at night. Caravaggio, meanwhile, marked the painters by the quality of
red hangings that he painted to stage “Judith and Holofernes” (Rome, Palazzo Barberini), evocations of the tent of Holofernes, process used here.
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