Judith and Holofernes
Artemisia Gentileschi
(1597?-after 1651)
Previously in The Barbie Chronicles, this painting was attributed to Caravaggio but a knowledgeable and sharp-eyed visitor to the site suggested it was more likely by Artemisia Gentilleschi who made a career painting the Judith saga. A contemporary of another highly regarded woman artist of the 17th century, Dutch painter Judith Leyster (1609-1660), Artemisia was an admirer of Caravaggio's chiaroscuro style. Comparison of brush strokes confirmed that this painting is by Artemisia and not by Caravaggio. The original erroneous attribution is regretted.A favorite subject of artists for nearly 400 years, the Biblical story of Judith equals that of Salome for gore but there is one major difference: Judith is a good guy.
With her servant, she attempts to persuade the lecherous enemy general,
Holofernes, to spare her village from death and destruction. When all else fails and with the help of ample portions of viands and vino, the women separate Holoferenes' head from his body at the neck. (Detail)