Holofernes

The story of Judith, a Jewish woman of great beauty, is from the book of the Bible named after her. She is a strong woman of faith, and seeking justice for her Lord, Jesus; Judith sets out to kill Holofernes, an Assyrian general who waged war against her people (Fiero,48). The painting shows the moment when Judith assassinates the general. A very physical rendition, there is blood spurting from the sight of the blade in his neck and on the bed, The…

very crowded and cramped up in this small area. There's a small space with very little or no movement.There's two individual units, maybe three if including the sword; Judith is the main character so she's a large figure, as well as the sword, and Holofernes is the smaller figure indicating that he isn't that important. The form is flat because there isn't an in depth background that seems like its mile and miles away, it's just a plain black background that stops the viewer from indicating…

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…

corresponds with both the views of women as well as idealized beauty of the Amarna period; the Venus of Urbino, a piece that portrays the ideals of beauty, of the Renaissance that still remains fairly unknown in purpose and depiction; and Judith Slaying Holofernes, picturing the high levels of drama as well as the overwhelming authority of the Catholic church common within the Baroque period through the portrayal of a strong and heroic woman. Though from different times, all of these works…

Klimt deliberately ignores the narrative references to the original story. He cuts off the head of Holofernes at the right margin, and there are no traces of the bloodied sword. Klimt’s Judith suggests the possibility of another kind of weapon she used to achieve her revenge. Therefore, some critics point out the intimate relationship between Judith and…

from Nebuchadnezzar 's army, who are under the command of Holofernes. While modeling her finest clothes, she pretends to destroy the invading Assyrian army. She is then taken to Holofernes, where she flatters and captivates him by her beauty and oath to help him overcome the Israeli resistance. After this meeting, she accepts Holofernes invitation to live with him. One evening, after some late night entertainment at a banquet, Holofernes lies in a drunken daze. Judith saw that this was a prime…

herself as Judith beheading Holofernes, who is modelled after Tassi. The story goes that Judith, a Bethulian widow, was allowed to enter the tent of Holofernes, the general of the army assailing her town, because he lusted after her. When he became intoxicated, Judith killed Holofernes with the assistance of her maid, thus saving Bethulia. Gentileschi’s painting is brutally realistic. From the way the blood drips off of the bed, to the contorted struggle of Holofernes as he grasps at the maid,…

shows quite a bit of hypocrisy among the Christian society and is interestingly and openly told in the story. In the opening scene, the reader is introduced to Judith as a god following woman with one wish in her heart; she wants to kill General Holofernes. Being a strong Christian woman, she spends much time asking God for permission to carry out the sinful task. One day, in lines 5-7, He finally grants her request and she readies for plan to take him out. This part seems very contradictory…

2) as a strong female heroine moments after the murder. Judith is in the act of handing over Holofernes’ head to her maidservant after the violent act. Her breast is exposed and she is gazing outward directly at the viewer. The dramatic scene is emphasized by the use of a single light source from below by the candle held in the elderly maidservant’s…

to emphasize the drama of the scene that is unfolding. Chiaroscuro is a way of contrasting light and shade, usually using strong tonal contrast, which can lend itself to emphasize drama such as the tension portrayed as Judith saws off the head of Holofernes. Not only does this tonal contrast offer visual tension, but it also sets the setting for where this scene took place in conjunction with biblical texts. The darkened background indicates a feel of secrecy and nightfall, both of…