The Discovery of Holofernes's Corpse, plate eight from The Story of Judith and Holofernes 1564

Philip Galle’s engraving depicts the discovery of Holofernes's corpse. Here we see the aftermath of Judith’s daring act, laden with symbols of power, deceit, and liberation. The fallen body of Holofernes, a leader who threatened the Jewish people, becomes a potent symbol of tyranny overthrown. Its discovery is the moment of truth, the instant when the oppressor’s power dissolves. Notice how the receding armies and the city in the background, with its moonlit towers, are thrown into chaos, embodying the vulnerability of earthly power when confronted with divine will. The motif of the severed head, barbaric as it may seem, appears throughout history as a symbol of victory. But let us not forget the psychological undercurrents. The fear and awe evoked by such images tap into our collective memory, reminding us of the ever-present tension between order and chaos, strength and vulnerability. The story does not end here, but continues to resonate, as the past echoes in the present, shaping our understanding of power, freedom, and the human condition.