Judith with the Head of Holofernes
- Artist: Titian
- Date: (with further additions in the 17th century by an unknown hand) 1550 - 1576
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the “Judith with the Head of Holofernes” by Titian. The scene opens with a dramatic, almost theatrical moment: Judith, the biblical heroine, stands poised beside the severed head of the Assyrian general Holofernes. Titian’s use of oil on canvas from 1550‑1576—later enhanced by an unknown hand in the 17th century—creates a rich, almost velvety surface that pulls the viewer into the intimate, tense moment.
Notice how the light falls from the left, casting a dramatic shadow across Judith’s face, emphasizing her calm yet determined expression. The reds of her gown contrast sharply with the dark, somber background, directing the eye to the head, which lies coolly in her hand. The texture of the canvas is evident in the slightly impasto strokes around the hair and the flesh of the head, lending a tangible depth to the scene.
Titian’s mastery is evident in the way he balances realism with a painterly softness. The background is deliberately vague, allowing the viewer’s imagination to fill in the battlefield. The composition feels both intimate and monumental, a testament to Titian’s skill in conveying narrative through composition and color. The later additions, while subtle, hint at a continued reverence for the work and a desire to preserve its dramatic impact for future generations.
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.
