Judith Showing the Head of Holofernes to the People
around 1730 | Francesco Solimena
The Jewish widow Judith rescues the town of her forefathers, Bethulia, which is besieged by the Assyrians. She went to the enemy camp outside the town, gained the favour of the general, Holofernes, and cut off his head in the night. Upon her return, she triumphantly shows her astonished people the head of Holofernes. Depictions of the Old Testament story of Judith were considered symbolic of the highest moral strictness and of passionate love of one’s fatherland. The picture was painted on a commission from the Austrian viceroy in Naples, Alois Thomas, Count Harrach.
The Jewish widow Judith rescues the town of her forefathers, Bethulia, which is besieged by the Assyrians. She went to the enemy camp outside the town, gained the favour of the general, Holofernes, and cut off his head in the night. Upon her return, she triumphantly shows her astonished people the head of Holofernes. Depictions of the Old Testament story of Judith were considered symbolic of the highest moral strictness and of passionate love of one’s fatherland. The picture was painted on a commission from the Austrian viceroy in Naples, Alois Thomas, Count Harrach.
Artist:
Francesco Solimena (1657 Canale di Serino - 1747 Barra bei Neapel) DNB
Time:
around 1730
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Italian, Neapolitan
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
105 x 130
Framed: 127 x 154 x 8 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 6915
Provenance
Painted for Alois Thomas Raimund Harrach, viceroy of Naples (1728-1733); Count Harrach's family collection, Rohrau/NÖ; 1935 gift from the Count Harrach family
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