Italian Caravaggionist, JUDITH WITH HOLOFERNES' HEAD, circa 1620.

Oil, canvas; 106 x 73 cm
Asking price 17000
Estimate 28000 - 35000
The heroine of the biblical Book of Judith Judith was a widow, beautiful, wealthy and very pious. At the time of the Assyrian invasion of Israel , their leader Holofernes began a siege of the city of Bethulia. It seemed that nothing could save the city. Judith then decided to defend the city herself. After evening prayer, she went to the camp of the Assyrians. She explained to them that she had left the city in order to save her life. When she was led before Holofernes, he fell in love with her, impressed by her beauty, and took her to his tent. While Holofernes slept, Judith cut off his head. She then put it in a basket and returned to Bethulia. At dawn, the head was hung on the city walls. When the Assyrian army saw it, they fled in terror.
The Judith theme was particularly popular in Carravagionist painting, a style of painting inspired by the work of Caravaggio. It is characterized by a strong contrast of light and shadow and a realistic depiction of the figure. Judith is portrayed as a strong and independent yet beautiful and sensual woman albeit in a scene of violence and war.