Judith with the Head of Holofernes

Balthasar Griessmann, artist

1620–1706

Judith with the Head of Holofernes, early 1600s

Where object was made: Germany

Material/technique: ivory

Credit line: Museum purchase

Accession number: 1957.0045

Not on display

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Label texts

Corpus - Project Redefine: Phase 2

In this finely articulated ivory sculpture, the widow Judith stands triumphantly over the vanquished, lifeless body of Holofernes, general of the mighty Assyrian army. Wielding a blade, and gazing defiantly into the eyes of her foe, biblical accounts celebrate Judith’s assassination of Holofernes by emphasizing her chastity. However by the 16th century, the story is increasingly used by European artists as an allegorical representation of courage in the face of tyranny. Championed as a female heroine, Judith gradually morphs from a symbol of purity into a potent erotic force. With her breast laid bare as she locks eye with the severed head, this combination of sex and violence, which was popular among many art patrons of the day, is further heightened by the artist’s choice to depict this macabre tale in the pristine white medium of ivory.

Exhibition Label:
"Corpus," Apr-2012, Kris Ercums
In this finely articulated ivory sculpture, the widow Judith stands triumphantly over the vanquished, lifeless body of Holofernes, general of the mighty Assyrian army. Wielding a blade, and gazing defiantly into the eyes of her foe, biblical accounts celebrate Judith’s assassination of Holofernes by emphasizing her chastity. However by the 16th century, the story is increasingly used by European artists as an allegorical representation of courage in the face of tyranny. Championed as a female heroine, Judith gradually morphs from a symbol of purity into a potent erotic force. With her breast laid bare as she locks eye with the severed head, this combination of sex and violence, which was popular among many art patrons of the day, is further heightened by the artist’s choice to depict this macabre tale in the pristine white medium of ivory.

Archive Label 2003:
Judith is one of the heroines of the Old Testament. The wealthy, pious widow Judith saved her city of Bethulia from siege by the Assyrian army by seducing Holofernes, the army’s general. After she came to his tent and treated him to rich food and wine that caused him to fall asleep, Judith cut off his head. When the Assyrian army discovered Holofernes’s ghastly death, they fled, and the town was saved.