Judith and Holofernes c. 17th century

Editor: This is Cornelis Galle the Elder’s "Judith and Holofernes," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark contrast between light and shadow is really striking. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Notice how the composition is meticulously structured. The artist uses diagonal lines to draw our eye from the figures at the top down to the violent act taking place below. It’s a sophisticated arrangement, isn’t it? How does the contrast between the figures' musculature play into this? Editor: It’s interesting how Judith and Holofernes seem to mirror each other, yet one is active and the other passive. Curator: Precisely. And the figures above are almost weightless, juxtaposing them with the heavy drama below. The artist balances these elements carefully. Editor: I see that now. Thanks for helping me look beyond the immediate drama of the scene. Curator: My pleasure. Paying close attention to these formal elements can reveal a great deal about the artist’s intent.