Judith mit dem Haupt des Holofernes 1736

Joseph Anton Feuchtmayer created this drawing of Judith with the Head of Holofernes using pen and brown ink, with a violet wash. The composition centres on Judith, rendered with dynamic lines and fluid strokes, creating a sense of motion and drama. Notice how the artist uses the violet wash to define the drapery and musculature, adding depth to the figure while retaining the lightness of the drawing. The head of Holofernes and Judith's garments are treated with equal attention, blurring the lines between victim and victor. This formal choice destabilizes conventional interpretations of Judith as a purely virtuous figure. Feuchtmayer's masterful use of line and wash serves not only to depict a biblical scene but also to question and complicate the moral dimensions of the narrative. The drawing prompts us to consider how representation and aesthetics intersect with ethical and historical contexts.