Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Artist
Fede Galizia
(Italian, 1578 – 1630)
Date1596
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsImage: 47 1/2 × 37 in. (120.7 × 94 cm)
Frame: 56 7/16 × 45 15/16 × 2 3/4 in. (143.3 × 116.7 × 7 cm)
Frame: 56 7/16 × 45 15/16 × 2 3/4 in. (143.3 × 116.7 × 7 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Polak, 1969
Object numberSN684
Fede Galizia was the daughter of a painter, and spent most of her career in Milan. Though she is best known today for her still lifes, she also painted portraits and narrative works, such as this scene from the deuterocanonical Book of Judith. The Assyrian general Holofernes, who wished to destroy the Jews of Bethulia, became enamored with Judith, a Jewish widow. Invited into his tent, Judith, with help from her maidservant, was able to decapitate Holofernes with his own sword, thereby liberating her people. Galizia signed and dated the work on the blade of the sword.
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