The artwork, titled “Judith with the head of Holofernes,” was crafted by Lucas Cranach the Elder around the year 1537 in Germany. This piece, which belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement, is classified as a religious painting. It currently resides in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
The painting depicts the biblical story of Judith, a heroic figure from the Old Testament, who has just decapitated Holofernes, an Assyrian general threatening her people. In this compelling scene, Judith is clothed in an elaborate gown with intricate details, capturing the opulent fashion of the period. She stands with a calm yet resolute expression, holding the severed head of Holofernes, while another woman, possibly her maidservant, looks on. The use of rich colors and meticulous attention to detail highlight Cranach’s mastery in portraying both the figures and the textures of their garments. The background is dark, which further emphasizes the dramatic and intense nature of the subject matter.
