Judith Seated in an Arch

About this work

This engraving shows a woman sitting in an arched frame, holding a severed man’s head by the hair. She’s bare-chested, wearing a wreath on her head, and looks calm while resting her arm on a rock. Around her are scattered objects like a sword and what looks like a helmet, plus a tiny village in the background. The text at the top is Latin, but you don’t need to read it—it’s basically saying this is Judith, a biblical figure who cut off a villain’s head. The artist used fine lines to build up shadows and details, making the scene feel dramatic. Try looking up engraving to see how artists like this carved intricate images into metal plates.