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Judith with the Head of Holifernes

Unknown

1504

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory

Dominant colour

Judith with the Head of Holifernes is a 1504 by Unknown, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1504 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a woman in a long dress holding a wrapped bundle. Behind her, a man’s head sits on a tray, carried by a servant. The scene looks like a dark, dramatic moment—maybe a story from long ago—with a castle or fortress in the background. The artist packed a lot into this small space, mixing action and symbols. The woman’s calm face contrasts with the heavy, bloody bundle, hinting at a bigger meaning. If you like this mix of action and hidden meaning, look up Renaissance next.