The artwork titled “Judith and Holofernes,” created by the artist Tintoretto around the year 1579, is an oil painting on canvas. It belongs to the Mannerism (Late Renaissance) art movement and measures 188 by 251 centimeters. This religious painting is housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
The painting portrays the dramatic biblical scene of Judith beheading Holofernes. Judith, standing in the center, is clad in a blue gown with ornate detailing and an expression of calm determination. She is depicted holding a sword in one hand and pulling back a draped curtain with the other. Beside her, her maid is shown placing the severed head of Holofernes into a sack. Holofernes, lying on a bed on the right side of the artwork, appears lifeless, partially covered by a red and gold woven blanket. The composition’s use of contrasting light and shadow, dynamic poses, and vivid colors exemplifies the characteristics of Mannerism. The scene’s intensity is heightened by the rich, dramatic drapery and the stark, somber background, which emphasize the gravity and solemnity of the act.
