Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes (c.1624; Italy) by Artemisia Gentileschi

Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes - Artemisia Gentileschi - c.1624; Italy

Artwork Information

TitleJudith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes
ArtistArtemisia Gentileschi
Datec.1624; Italy
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions183.9 x 141.48 cm
Art MovementTenebrism
Current LocationDetroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI, US

About Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes

The artwork “Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes” by Artemisia Gentileschi, created around 1624 in Italy, is an oil on canvas painting associated with the Tenebrism art movement. It measures 183.9 x 141.48 cm and belongs to the religious painting genre. This masterpiece is currently located at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, Michigan, United States.

The artwork depicts a dramatic and intense moment from the biblical story of Judith. The central figures are Judith and her maidservant, illuminated starkly against a dark background, characteristic of the Tenebrism technique that emphasizes strong contrasts between light and dark. Judith is shown with a sword, gesturing with a sense of urgency and vigilance, as her maidservant assists her, holding the recently severed head of Holofernes in a sacr cloth. The rich, deep colors and the meticulous details draw the viewer into the gravity and tension of the scene, showcasing Gentileschi’s command over light, shadow, and narrative intensity.

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