Scene
The painting depicts the climactic moment of Judith severing Holofernes's head. A red drape in the background suggests the interior of a tent.
Judith Beheading Holofernes
Caravaggio
1598
Figures
Judith, a young and beautiful heroine, grasps Holofernes's hair while driving a scimitar through his neck. The drunk and helpless general lies convulsing on his bed, accompanied by an elderly maidservant clutching a bag.
Symbolism
Judith represents a triumph over tyranny, while the scimitar serves as an instrument of divine justice. The spurting blood symbolizes sacrifice and violence.
Craft
Caravaggio uses dramatic chiaroscuro, with light falling from the top left to illuminate Judith while casting the rest of the scene into shadow.
Impact
This work marks Caravaggio's first known historical painting and the start of his mature phase. It established a new approach to depicting biblical violence that influenced later artists.
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