St. Judith
Judith is a joly women, who personifies Justice and Courage.
June 24, 2021
80 x 100 cm, oil on canvas
Judith is a Jewish heroine. After the Assyrian troops laid siege to her hometown, she dressed up and went to the enemy camp, where she attracted the attention of commander Holofernes. According to one version Judith seduced him, and when he fell asleep, she cut off his head. On the other, she was waiting when he got drunk and fell asleep.
Since the Renaissance, the plot has been extremely popular in art and had both heroic and erotic connotations. She is one of the Mulier Sancta — holy women, personifies Justice and Courage. The Renaissance saw Judith as a brave heroine in action.
There is a smaller version primarily done as a sketch (40 x 50 cm, oil on canvas) presented below. The composition appeals to Cranach's Judith in Wien.
This piece is a part of 'All Saints' exhibition (curator: Ilona Olkonen)
