Judith and Holofernes 1659

Jan de Bray's "Judith and Holofernes" (1659) depicts a pivotal moment from the biblical Book of Judith, where the widowed Judith, with a young maidservant standing in the shadows, beheads the Assyrian general Holofernes while he sleeps, saving the besieged city of Bethulia. The dramatic composition and the stark contrast between the light and dark areas draw the viewer's eye to the moment of the murder, highlighting the story's themes of faith, courage, and the vulnerability of power. This painting, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to de Bray's skill in depicting dramatic narratives and the power of female heroism.