Mariette, Judith with the Head of Holofernes

Title: Mariette, Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Rights: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public Domain.
Creator: Pierre Mariette (artist, 1596-1657); Grégoire Huret (publisher, 1606-1670)
Date: 17th century
Description: A woman with curls pinned into an elaborate updo holds the severed head of an older bearded man. Just as she, the head faces the viewer directly, but with eyes closed. The woman is dressed in a luxurious, 17th century gown with many intricate patterns and details. She is holding the head by the hair in her left hand, the right of which holds a sword. Behind the sword is a setting of a pastoral landscape with rolling hills. Next to her is a woman dressed more understated with a modest headwrap. She looks up to the heavens, almost as if to ask for penance for the crime she has helped commit (but more likely thanking the heavens that the evil holding her city hostage has been slain).
Format: Print. Engraving. 9 in. × 7 1/16 in.
Publisher: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 53.600.4304
Contributor: Abigail P.
Subject: Biblical scene; biblical story; Judith; Holofernes; maidservant; war general; sword; weapon.
Source: Jpeg file. Unknown photographer. Originally published by Grégoire Huret. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Digital Collection, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1953. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/645140, 3/20/20.