The artwork, entitled “Judith and Holofernes,” was created by the Italian artist Caravaggio and belongs to the Baroque art movement. As a religious painting, it depicts a dramatic biblical scene with strong emotional and physical intensity characteristic of the Baroque style.
The painting illustrates the pivotal moment when Judith, a Jewish heroine, is about to decapitate the Assyrian general Holofernes. Judith, accompanied by her maidservant, holds a large sword aloft, ready to deliver the fatal blow while Holofernes lies helpless, his body partially unclothed and restrained. The maidservant assists Judith by holding down Holofernes’ body, highlighting both women’s resolute determination. The use of chiaroscuro, with deep shadows and stark lighting, accentuates the tension and highlights the physical and emotional gravity of the scene. The expressions captured on the faces of the characters emphasize the intensity and drama typical of Caravaggio’s work and the Baroque period.
