Judith with the Head of Holofernes 1596

Fede Galizia's 1596 painting, "Judith with the Head of Holofernes," depicts the biblical story of Judith, a Jewish widow who decapitated the Assyrian general Holofernes to save her people. Galizia, a female artist working during the Baroque period, uses strong chiaroscuro to create a dramatic scene. The central figure, Judith, is depicted with a cold, resolute expression, holding the severed head of Holofernes, which is held in a tray by a servant. The painting highlights the contrast between Judith's resolute gaze and the lifeless expression of Holofernes, emphasizing the power she wielded over her enemy.