around 1730, Artist: 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.
Painting
Italian, Neapolitan
around 1730
Francesco Solimena (1657 Canale di Serino - 1747 Barra bei Neapel) - GND
Canvas
105 x 130
Framed: 127 x 154 x 8 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie
Gemäldegalerie, 6915
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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