The artwork entitled “Judith” is a religious painting by the artist Andrea Mantegna, created in 1475. Executed in oil, this piece is a product of the Early Renaissance, an era known for its innovative approach to art and the revival of classical thinking and aesthetic ideals. The artwork belongs to the religious genre as it depicts a biblical scene.

“Judith” by Mantegna presents a captivating narrative taken from the apocryphal Book of Judith in the Old Testament. The painting portrays Judith, a Jewish heroine who seduced and then beheaded the Assyrian general Holofernes to save her city. The figure of Judith dominates the composition with a solemn yet determined expression. She is elegantly dressed in a flowing blue robe with classical drapery, highlighting the Early Renaissance’s affinity for antiquity. Next to her stands an elderly maid, who assists in concealing Holofernes’ head, indicating her complicity in Judith’s act of bravery.

The background features a luxuriously patterned tent, within which the grisly act took place, its red drapes pulled back to reveal the scene. At the center of the composition hangs Holofernes’ head, a grisly testament to Judith’s deed. The cold realism of the severed head contrasts with the composed beauty of Judith, creating a palpable tension within the artwork. The figures are both grounded and sculpturally defined, demonstrating Mantegna’s mastery over form and perspective, hallmarks of the Early Renaissance’s innovative spirit.