This picture was done by Artemisia Gentileschi in 1612-1613. This picture is one of Artemisia's most recognized and contervercial paintings. She did many paintings displaying Judith and her maid. All having to do with the killing of Holofernes. Holofernes was an Assyrian general. And the two women that are attacking him are Judith (in blue) and her maid (in red). It is said that part of what influenced her to make this painting was that she was raped by a guy named Tassi, and through this painting it shows her femanist views and hatred toward men. Tassi saverly hurt Artemisia's artistic career. The trial against Tassi for raping her was publicly humiliating for Artemisia.This Picture also displays the scene from the end of the Book Of Judith in the Old Testament. This is only one of her paintings that Judith killed Holofernes in. There are two other paintings in which he died. Judith Beheading Holofernes and Judith And Maidservant With The head of Holofernes.
I believe that this painting not only shows her femanist beliefs but also her religious views. This picture is of a story in the Book Of Judith in the bible. I believe it shows the strength of women. Because it is a woman killing a strong army general who has had training to kill people and has used it many times. So I believe it shows that women are just as strong as men.
I think it's a little radical to say that this portrait is empowering toward women. To show dominace over men, I don't think women need to cut their heads off. To me, this portait shows two cold-blooded killers that, judging by their faces, have no remorse for being such. I think if the gender roles were switched and it was two men cutting off a woman's head, this painting would be a lot more controversial
ReplyDeleteI agree that these women are killers. But I also think that it is sort of empowering towards women. But I don't believe they had to cut a guys head off to make their point either.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that this painting is used to show her femanist belief but I also think that she/others just had a personal hatred towards Holofernes. why else would they have made three paintings like this and maybe it just shows that holofernes was just bad to women and that this is revenge for all the bad things he's done.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jbeck one of the first things I noticed about this painting was there was no expressions on the womens faces. Almost in cold blood.
ReplyDeleteI think this painting is not to show feminist beliefs but to show the painters hatred for men. She was raped and a lot of women that get raped hate men after it. I think she chose to paint these two women beheading Holofernes to let out her hatred for men.
ReplyDeleteBowler300
ReplyDeleteI think she got the feminist beliefs because she was raped. But I do agree I think she painted this pictured to let out her hatred for men and how they publicly humiliated her when she went to trial.
Great observation about the women's faces. I had never noticed that detail before--totally empowering in a way--as if "I have NO feeling for you as I wipe you away."
ReplyDeleteTheir eye's are cold and steely, no emotion.
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