Judith en Holofernes 1728

This engraving by Nicolas Pigné depicts Judith holding the sword with which she has just slain Holofernes. The sword, more than a mere weapon, here embodies liberation and righteous fury. Consider how this motif of the avenging female, armed and resolute, echoes through time. We find her kin in countless guises—from ancient goddesses to mythical heroines, each wielding their own symbolic arms against oppression. The sword, a symbol of power, becomes in Judith’s hand an emblem of defiance. Interestingly, the psychological weight of this image is palpable. The tension between Judith’s determined gaze and the limp body of Holofernes evokes a mix of triumph and unease, resonating deep within our collective psyche. And so, the sword of Judith becomes more than just steel; it is a recurring echo, a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of oppression and resistance, forever imprinted on the cultural memory.