Judith Beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio: what it depicts
Judith Beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio
The frown
Most painters before Caravaggio had shown Judith after the deed, with the head in a basket. He shows the deed, and what makes the picture unbearable is not the blood but Judith's face: young, beautiful, and frowning slightly, the way you frown at a task you would rather not be doing. Holofernes is awake. The old maid at the right, all wrinkles and concentration, has the bag ready. Behind them a red curtain hangs like a theatre's.
The Book of Judith tells the story: a widow of Israel who went into the enemy camp, got its general drunk, and saved her city with his own sword.
Rome, rediscovered
Painted around 1599, probably for the banker Ottavio Costa, it was lost to view for centuries and identified in 1950. It is now in the Palazzo Barberini in Rome. Artemisia Gentileschi, who was deeply influenced by it, painted her own two versions in answer.
About this print
Made from a high-resolution scan of the painting, 11,145 pixels wide, in its landscape format.
Sources: Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica, Palazzo Barberini, Rome, inv. 2533 · Wikidata Q2470123 · Wikimedia Commons
Who Made It
Created by Caravaggio. Painted in 1599. Oil on Canvas.
More like this: Old Testament, Baroque
All Available Options
Below is a list of all available sizes and product types.
| Type | Size | Color | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas | 12" x 9" (Horizontal) | - | $32.98 | In Stock |
| Canvas | 14″ x 11″ (Horizontal) | - | $37.49 | In Stock |
| Canvas | 16″ x 12″ (Horizontal) | - | $45.19 | In Stock |
| Canvas | 24″ x 18″ (Horizontal) | - | $50.88 | In Stock |
| Canvas | 32" x 24" (Horizontal) | - | $113.08 | In Stock |
| Canvas | 40" x 30" (Horizontal) | - | $139.08 | In Stock |
| Canvas | 48" x 36" (Horizontal) | - | $229.39 | In Stock |
| Framed | 12" x 9" (Horizontal) | Black | $62.76 | In Stock |
| Framed | 12" x 9" (Horizontal) | Espresso | $62.76 | In Stock |
| Framed | 12" x 9" (Horizontal) | White | $62.76 | In Stock |
| Framed | 14″ x 11″ (Horizontal) | Black | $73.88 | In Stock |
| Framed | 14″ x 11″ (Horizontal) | Espresso | $73.88 | In Stock |
| Framed | 14″ x 11″ (Horizontal) | White | $73.88 | In Stock |
| Framed | 16″ x 12″ (Horizontal) | Black | $87.14 | In Stock |
| Framed | 16″ x 12″ (Horizontal) | Espresso | $87.14 | In Stock |
| Framed | 16″ x 12″ (Horizontal) | White | $87.14 | In Stock |
| Framed | 24″ x 18″ (Horizontal) | Black | $125.44 | In Stock |
| Framed | 24″ x 18″ (Horizontal) | Espresso | $125.44 | In Stock |
| Framed | 24″ x 18″ (Horizontal) | White | $125.44 | In Stock |
| Framed | 32" x 24" (Horizontal) | Black | $181.92 | In Stock |
| Framed | 32" x 24" (Horizontal) | Espresso | $181.92 | In Stock |
| Framed | 32" x 24" (Horizontal) | White | $181.92 | In Stock |
| Framed | 40" x 30" (Horizontal) | Black | $219.33 | In Stock |
| Framed | 40" x 30" (Horizontal) | Espresso | $219.33 | In Stock |
| Framed | 40" x 30" (Horizontal) | White | $219.33 | In Stock |
Image: source, Public domain (work and photograph).
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