“Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes,” painted by Orazio Gentileschi in 1624, is a remarkable work of the Mannerism or Late Renaissance art movement. The artwork is a religious painting that vividly captures a pivotal biblical event.
The artwork portrays the scene where the heroine Judith, aided by her maidservant, holds the severed head of Holofernes. Judith, clad in an elaborate red garment, appears composed and contemplative. Her maidservant, dressed in blue, is depicted with an air of alertness, peering over her shoulder as if ensuring no one is witnessing the aftermath of their daring act. The use of dramatic lighting and rich color palettes enhances the intensity and emotional depth of the scene. The figures are rendered with striking realism, typical of the Mannerist style, emphasize the dramatic and heroic nature of the moment depicted.
