Printed Page 191-0(cont.)

SOURCES IN CONVERSATION

Sources for Western Society: Printed Page 191

12-7 | ARTEMISIA GENTILESCHI, Judith and Holofernes (1610)

Like Susannah and the Elders, Judith and Holofernes depicts a scene from the Old Testament, this time from the Book of Judith. In order to save Israel from Assyrian domination, Judith seduces the Assyrian general Holofernes. After he falls asleep drunk, Judith and her maid servant cut off his head. The personal importance of the story to Gentileschi is underscored by the fact that she chose to depict herself as Judith and Agostino Tassi, her rapist, as Holofernes. As you examine the painting, compare its composition to that of Susannah and the Elders. In what ways does this painting invert the power relationships of the earlier work?

image

Judith and Holofernes (panel), Gentileschi, Artemisia (1597–ca. 1651) / Museo e Gallerie Nazionali di Capodimonte, Naples, Italy / The Bridgeman Art Library.

READING QUESTIONS

  1. Question

    How would you describe Gentileschi’s Judith? How would you characterize her facial expression?

  2. Question

    What might explain Gentileschi’s decision to focus attention on Judith’s arms and those of her maid?

  3. Question

    Compare this work to Susannah and the Elders. Taken together, what do the two paintings tell us about the connections Gentileschi made between gender, power, and violence?