Judith met het hoofd van Holofernes c. 1808 - 1834

Lambertus Antonius Claessens created this print, Judith with the Head of Holofernes, using etching and engraving. Here we see Judith, a biblical heroine, holding the severed head of Holofernes. Claessens, working around the turn of the 19th century, participates in a long tradition of depicting this dramatic scene. But why were artists, and the institutions that supported them, so drawn to this particular story? In its time, the print circulated within a culture grappling with ideas of female power, national identity, and resistance to tyranny in the wake of the French Revolution. Judith, in this context, becomes a symbol of patriotic virtue and defiance against oppression. To truly understand this image, we delve into the social and political context of its creation. We can consult historical texts, political pamphlets, and other visual representations of the story of Judith to see how the figure of Judith assumed political significance at this time. In doing so, we can appreciate the print not just as a work of art, but as a window into a crucial historical moment.