Judith met het hoofd van Holofernes 1576 - 1656

Gerrit Pietersz rendered this drawing, "Judith with the Head of Holofernes," with pen and brown ink, heightened with white. At its heart, we see Judith holding the severed head of Holofernes, a symbol of triumph over tyranny. This motif echoes through history, resonating with the ancient Greek myth of Perseus holding Medusa's head, each representing the hero's victory over chaos. Consider how, in both instances, the act of decapitation carries a potent psychological charge, embodying both fear and liberation. The image of Judith has been repeated over time. Take, for instance, Artemisia Gentileschi’s portrayal: a visceral, raw depiction of the biblical scene that contrasts with Sandro Botticelli’s more idealized representation. Such interpretations reveal how cultural memory and subconscious anxieties shape our understanding and artistic expression of these enduring symbols. The sword, brandished high, is not merely a weapon, but a symbol of defiance and divine justice. In the course of time, its form changes, but the meaning persists.