Judith at the Gates of Bethulia

Judith stands facing the viewer, brandishing the severed head of Holofernes—the Assyrian general whose army besieged the city of Bethulia. In this Old Testament scene, Judith's murderous act has just liberated her city and saved her people.

Still haunted by what she has done, she stares straight ahead, deliberate and determined. Except for the bead of sweat on her forehead, her face bears no trace of emotion. A strong diagonal line, linking the head of Holofernes to the arm that has severed it, invigorates the composition and accentuates the impression of strength. The light from the left illuminates the young woman’s somewhat oriental face, emphasized by her orange jewels and embroidered cream robe. As the very image of a brave woman, displaying exemplary courage as she contemplates her fate, Judith has been portrayed by many an artist.