The Italian Renaissance was a pinnacle point for the study of human anatomy, such studies can be seen through the detailed paintings of human bodies by Renaissance artists. The contortions of Holofernes’ body depict the human anatomy studies done as Gentileschi highlights the muscles of Holofernes’s arms and legs. This emphasis was to depict the anatomy of a common male figure at the time, but it is also important as she also emphasizes the scale and apparent strength of Holofernes. His muscles are clearly defined, as well as the scale of his hand to the face of the handmaiden being almost equal. Holofernes’s body is displayed in such a way to really show that he is a force to be reckoned with and that these two female figures, being the heroic
