Artwork
Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Judith with the Head of Holofernes is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Massimo Stanzione. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The subject thus functions both as a biblical illustration and an allegorical statement on the power of righteous intervention.
The work portrays the biblical heroine Judith clutching the severed head of the Assyrian general Holofernes, a moment that embodies the triumph of chastity and righteousness over violent oppression. In the composition the sword, the decapitated head and Judith’s resolute expression serve as iconographic symbols of decisive action and moral authority, while the surrounding stillness underscores the gravity of the act. Rendered by Massimo Stanzione in 1630, the painting elevates the narrative from a violent episode to a contemplative meditation on justice, reflecting Counter‑Reformation themes of virtuous heroism.
The subject thus functions both as a biblical illustration and an allegorical statement on the power of righteous intervention.
Technique & Style
Massimo Stanzione's Judith with the Head of Holofernes, executed in 1630, is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 199.4 cm in height and 146.1 cm in width. As a religious painting, the artist utilizes oil paint to depict the biblical narrative of Judith holding the sword and the severed head of Holofernes.
The medium allows for the detailed rendering of the figures, including the woman Judith and the beheaded head, characteristic of the artist's handling of the genre. The painting remains part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where its physical dimensions and material composition are documented.
History & Provenance
Judith with the Head of Holofernes was painted around 1630 by Massimo Stanzione in oil on canvas. The work is recorded as part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently housed. No further details regarding its original commission, earlier owners, or subsequent provenance are provided in the available sources.
Massimo Stanzione's Judith with the Head of Holofernes, painted in 1630, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. According to the Wikidata record, the painting belongs to the museum's holdings and is located there. The work is catalogued as an oil-on-canvas religious painting measuring 199.4 cm in height and 146.1 cm in width.
The available sources do not specify a particular inventory or accession number, nor do they document any exhibition history for the painting.
Overview
Massimo Stanzione's oil painting, "Judith with the Head of Holofernes," captures a pivotal moment from the biblical narrative. The work presents the heroine Judith, sword in hand, alongside her attendant who holds the severed head of the Assyrian general. The composition emphasizes the aftermath of her decisive act, rendered with a striking interplay of vivid color and solemn subject matter. This piece exemplifies the artist's engagement with dramatic storytelling and character portrayal.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Massimo Stanzione (also called Stanzioni; Frattamaggiore 1585 – Naples 1656) was an Italian Baroque painter, mainly active in Naples, where he and his rival Jusepe de Ribera dominated the painting scene for several decades.
