Judith
1523
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1523
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Judith is a 1523 by Albrecht Altdorfer, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This is a black-and-white etching of a woman holding a sword in one hand and a severed head in the other. She’s dressed in loose, flowing clothes and stands confidently, her hair pulled back. The ground around her is rocky, and a small building sits behind her. The artist used sharp lines and deep shadows to give the scene a dramatic feel. Notice how the woman’s face stays calm even though she’s holding a bloody head. Next, look up Albrecht Altdorfer to see how he used similar techniques in other works.
