Judith with the Head of Holofernes
- Artist: Padovanino (Alessandro Varotari)
- Date: (circa) 1635
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Judith with the Head of Holofernes” by Padovanino, a.k.a. Alessandro Varotari, painted around 1635 in oil on canvas. The work captures the dramatic moment when Judith beheads the Assyrian general Holofernes, a classic Baroque theme that showcases the artist’s skill with light and emotion. Notice how Padovanino uses strong contrasts: the dark, almost velvety background pulls the viewer’s eye straight to Judith’s face and the gleaming head in her hand. Her expression is a mix of triumph and calm—she’s neither a hero nor a monster, but a calm, composed woman holding the head in a way that feels almost reverential.
The palette is rich but restrained, with deep reds and browns that give the scene a solemn, almost theatrical feel. The brushwork is delicate, especially in the folds of Judith’s clothing and the texture of the cloth covering the head, giving a sense of realism while still hinting at a stylized narrative. This painting is a fine example of the period’s interest in moral and biblical stories, rendered with an emphasis on psychological depth and the interplay of light and shadow, hallmarks of Baroque art.
See it in person
Judith with the Head of Holofernes hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
