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The Triumph of Judith
1704-170838 3/4 x 49 1/4 in. (98.4 x 125.1 cm)
Francesco Solimena
Italy (1657 - 1747)
Object Type:
Painting
Medium and Support:
Oil on canvas
Credit Line:
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. James V. Aquavella
Accession Number:
1977.109
Location: Currently on view
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.
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.
Marks
Besides the marks noted separately, other marks have been rubbed out and are illegible. As the painting was restretched in 1990, the only evidence of the marks cited separately is the photos taken by the conservators, now in curatorial file.
Provenance
Eduardo Moratilla, Paris (dealer), 1964; Private collection, England; sold, Christie's, London, March 24, 1972, as lot 91 [under "Various Properties"]; purchased at that sale by F. Ross; Mortimer Brandt Gallery, New York; Dr. and Mrs. James V. Aquavella, Rochester, NY; their gift to the Gallery in 1977
Keywords
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Additional Images
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Exhibition List
This object was included in the following exhibitions:
- Masterpieces for Rochester: Acquisitions Since 1975 11/24/1978 - 1/7/1979
- A New Acquisition: The Trinity by 18th Century Italian Master Corrado Giaquinto Memorial Art Gallery 9/3/1981 - 10/25/1981
- Ken Aptekar: Eye Contact Memorial Art Gallery 2/16/2002 - 4/21/2002
Bibliography
This object has the following bibliographic references:
- Article Author: Barryte, Bernard. Article Scope: Article and reproduction. Susan Dodge Peters, ed. Memorial Art Gallery: An Introduction to the Collection. New York, New York: Memorial Art Gallery in association with Hudson Hills Press, 1988. Page Number: 98-99
- Article Title: Acquisition. Article Scope: Article and reproduction. Memorial Art Gallery. Gallery Notes. Rochester, New York: Memorial Art Gallery, 1935-1995. Volume Number: 43, Issue Number: 5. Issue Date: December 1977.
- Article Title: For the Record. Article Scope: Entry. The Art Gallery. Ivorytown, CT: Hollycroft Press Volume Number: XXI, Issue Number: 2. Issue Date: December - January 1978. Page Number: 20
- Article Author: Barryte, Bernard and Thomas Carey. Article Title: Francesco Solimena's "Triumph of Judith": The Painting and Its Conservation. Article Scope: Article and reproduction. Porticus. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery Volume Number: 14-16 Issue Date: 1991-93. Page Number: 22-41, Figure Number: 1
- Elizabeth Brayer. Magnum Opus: The Story of the Memorial Art Gallery, 1913-1988. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery, 1988.
- MAGazine. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery
- Memorial Art Gallery. ARTiculate. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery, 2000--.
Portfolio List
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This object is a member of the following portfolios: