Jael and Sisera 1620

This dramatic painting, "Jael and Sisera," depicts a pivotal moment from the Book of Judges in the Bible. Created in 1620 by Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi, it shows Jael, a warrior-woman, as she fatally drives a tent peg into the head of Sisera, the defeated Canaanite general. The scene is rendered with a stark realism and strong sense of action, drawing viewers into the intensity of the moment. The painting’s powerful composition and the expressive faces of the figures highlight the story’s themes of faith, justice, and vengeance, showcasing Gentileschi's mastery of light and shadow.