Cranach, Judith with the Head of Holofernes

Item

Title
Cranach, Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Rights
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public Domain.
Creator
Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553)
Date
ca. 1530
Description
A woman with red hair and porcelain skin is dressed elaborately in Northern Renaissance-esque garments. She is draped in rich reds, emeralds, golds and gold jewelry. In her left hand she holds the severed head of the Assyrian general Holofernes; in her right she wields the sword that killed him—almost as if she was caught in the act. The gruesome image of death is contrasted by the heroine's beauty, which is emphasized by the flat, black void of the background. Although her body is turned slightly away from us, With a knowing smirk, she confronts the viewer with her direct gaze, almost as if letting the viewer in as a witness (or accomplice) to her crime.
Format
Painting. Oil on linden. 35 1/4 x 24 3/8 in. (89.5 x 61.9 cm.)
Publisher
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 11.15
Contributor
Abigail P.
Subject
Biblical story; biblical scene; Judith; Holofernes; Northern Renaissance; sword; weapon; decapitation.
Source
Jpeg file. Unknown photographer. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Digital Collection. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436038, 2/20/20.