Judith showing the head of Holofernes to the Israelite elders
1550
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1550
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This sketch shows a woman holding a severed head, surrounded by swirling robes and dramatic folds. The lines are loose and energetic, with shading that makes the fabric look almost alive. The woman’s face is calm, but the scene feels tense. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to show movement in the cloth. This style was common in early drawings before painters added color. Try looking up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
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