Artemisia Gentileschi Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes, c. 1623– 1625 Oil on canvas.
One of the most famous female painters of the 17th century, Artemisia Gentileschi (Italian, 1593–after 1654) was known for her ability to convey intense drama through use of shadow, color, and light. In her portrayal of the biblical story of the Jewish heroine Judith beheading Holofernes, deep shadows cast by a single candle’s flame obscure the violent beheading.
