At art museums, you may notice paintings of beautiful women chopping off or holding a man’s chopped-off head. These fascinating pieces show an eye-catching juxtaposition of elegance and horror, beauty and violence.
It’s a strangely common trope. Once you notice it, you’ll see it everywhere. Who are these women? Why are they chopping off heads and looking chummy about it, too?
Judith is one of two prominent women portrayed in this manner. Salome is the other. Let’s dig into how to identify Judith.
Judith
Meet my girl, Judith. She’s a biblical heroine.
The widow Judith saved the Hebrew city of Bethulia. She seduced and killed the enemy general, Holofernes. She used her beauty to entrance Holofernes, get in his tent, and liquor him up. Once he was in a stupor, Judith used his sword to cut off his head. Snicker-snack.
(That glosses over a lot. Read the Book of Judith or the Wiki page for more information.)
So how can we tell a painting is of Judith and not another decapitator like Salome?
She used Holoferne’s own sword to chop off his head. Basically symbolizing disgrace and lost manhood.
Sometimes it’s just a glint in the shadow. But more often than not, that “sword” is around.
2. Often Judith’s loyal maid attends her.
Sword, check. But often there are two figures in these paintings. Judith’s maid frequently joins her or helps with the beheading. Notably, the maid is often older than Judith and generally does not make eye contact with the viewer.
3. There’s a beheadin’ goin’ on
And finally, the main event.
Judith herself cut off Holoferne’s head. She’s the agent here. And often, artists paint this moment in all its bloody detail.
Lordy.
Also, Holoforne’s head looks huge in these renditions.
Now, how can you identify Salome?
