Artwork
Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Judith with the Head of Holofernes is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the stark contrast between Judith’s composed figure and the gruesome trophy, highlighting the moment of victory over oppression.
The painting depicts the biblical episode of Judith beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes. Judith is shown as a determined woman holding a sword and the severed head of Holofernes, emphasizing her role as the active agent of deliverance. The composition focuses on the stark contrast between Judith’s composed figure and the gruesome trophy, highlighting the moment of victory over oppression.
By portraying this story, the work underscores themes of courage, divine justice, and the triumph of virtue over tyranny, as indicated by the explicit depiction of Judith, the sword, and Holofernes’ head.
Technique & Style
Created in 1530, this religious painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder is executed in oil paint applied to a lime panel support. The work measures 89.5 centimeters in height and 61.9 centimeters in width. As a panel painting from the German Renaissance, the medium and support reflect the standard workshop practices of Cranach's circle during this period.
The composition depicts the biblical narrative of Judith and Holofernes, featuring the central figures of the woman, the beheaded head of Holofernes, and a sword. The use of oil on a prepared wood panel allowed for the detailed rendering characteristic of the artist's style in this era. The piece remains part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where its material composition and dimensions are documented as part of its physical identity.
History & Provenance
The painting Judith with the Head of Holofernes by Lucas Cranach the Elder is dated to 1530 and is executed in oil on lime panel. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains housed. Cranach’s authorship and the 1530 dating are consistent across internal records and the Metropolitan Museum’s holdings, aligning with the artist’s mature period.
The panel’s dimensions (89.5 cm × 61.9 cm) and the depiction of Judith holding Holofernes’ severed head, along with the sword and beheaded head, confirm its iconographic program within Cranach’s oeuvre of religious narrative scenes.
Lucas Cranach the Elder's painting Judith with the Head of Holofernes is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is part of the museum's collection; the work is displayed in the European paintings galleries and is listed in the museum's catalogue as a 1530 oil on lime panel. The painting's dimensions are 89.5 cm by 61.9 cm, and it depicts the biblical scene of Judith beheading Holofernes. Exhibition records in the available documentation do not mention any specific temporary exhibitions, and no accession number is provided in the sources consulted.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Judith with the Head of Holofernes, depicts a dramatic moment from an ancient narrative. The artwork portrays a woman in elaborate attire, holding a bloodied sword in one hand and the severed head of a man in the other. Her ornate garments, including a feathered hat and bejeweled necklace, contribute to the scene's intensity.
The artist's use of oil paint allows for rich textures and vivid colors, bringing the intense scene to life.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
