1
Portfolios%3D%22598%22%20and%20Sort_Artist%3D%22Solimena,%20Francesco%22
Painting
The Triumph of Judith
Francesco Solimena, 1657 - 1747
Solimena, Francesco
Italy
1657 - 1747
Male
38 3/4 x 49 1/4 in. (98.4 x 125.1 cm)
.
.
.
without frame
Oil
Oil
1704-1708
1704
1708
1600-1800, 18th century, Judith, paintings, women
Painting
The subject of Judith cutting off the head of Holofernes was one of the most popular subjects in Christian art of the 1600s and 1700s. The Old Testament story tells how the heroine Judith went to the camp of Holofernes, the Assyrian general who was besieging her town. She dazzled him with her beauty; after pretending to accept his advances, she beheaded him with his own sword while he was in a drunken stupor.
This painting illustrates the moment when Judith displays the trophy of her victory to the citizens she has rescued. In a Christian context, the story of the Jewish heroine represents the triumph of virtue over evil. During the Counter-Reformation, the subject also became a powerful symbol of the Catholic Church’s triumph over heresy, or dissent from its teachings. Here, Solimena shows Judith as confident that she has served the will of God. The dramatic lighting, gestures and facial expressions of the figures are intended to appeal to the emotions and inspire the faith that motivated Judith.
back of canvas, visible in conservation photo in curatorial fileback of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial fileback of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial file, written on torn piece of tape. Probably the Intermuseum Laboratory's internal number.back of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial fileback of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial fileback of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial fileback of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial fileback of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial fileback of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial fileback of stretcher, visible in conservation photo in curatorial file
1977.109
item
Memorial Art Gallery
1/22/2001
77.109TR2
transparency
conserved
4 x 5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
77.109TR1
transparency
pre-conservation
4 x 5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
77.109SL1
slide
full
2 x 2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
8 x 10
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
glossy
4 x 5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
77.109SL2
slide
detail of Abra
2x2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
77.109SL3
slide
detail
2x2
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif
77.109DI1
digital image
pre-conservation
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/77.109_A2.jpg
77.109DI#2
digital image
full
4/10/2006
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Media/images/77.109_A1.jpg
77.109TR3
transparency
full
4 x 5
00/00/00
http://127.0.0.1:5000/Graphics/blank.gif