UFFIZI, Artemisia Gentileschi-Judith Beheading Holofernes_Room D29

In Artemisia Gentileschi’s painting, 'Judith Beheading Holofernes', a well-known biblical episode is depicted, in which the mythological heroine of the Jewish people, Judith, beheads Holofernes, commander of the Assyrian soldiers besieging the city of Bethullia.

The man, in fact, fascinated by the woman's beauty, allegedly invited her to a banquet and, having fallen asleep because he was drunk, was murdered by his guest with his own sword.

The painting shows Holofernes dying, his blood dripping copiously from the bed on which he lies, as he desperately tries to save himself by clinging to the robes of Judith's handmaiden. The latter meanwhile carries out the beheading of the enemy with an almost impassive air.

This painting, realized around 1620 and commissioned by Grand Duke Cosimo II De Medici, Lord of Florence, once completed was deemed too realistic and gory to be exhibited, so much so that the artist struggled to obtain the agreed fee....