Judith Beheading Holofernes

Judith Beheading Holofernes, also called Judith Slaying Holofernes or Judith, painted by Caravaggio in 1599, was painted in a seemingly less conformist way. “Less conformist” is used in the sense that instead of painting Judith after killing Holofernes and holding the head like earlier depictions, Caravaggio had decided to paint her during the killing.  Judith Beheading Holofernes is a snapshot depiction of the moment, during which, the Jewish heroine, Judith, is severing the head of the drunken general, Holofernes. This Judith was painted during the Renaissance era and is discernible as such from some key elements. One such element is the background, or the lack-there-of a background would be more accurate.  Renaissance painting usually did not have very detailed backgrounds. This painting in particular influenced history by putting a new perspective on the scene in the sense that it did not just detail the after image, but rather the during image. This piece relates to the overall theme by having someone die through a means that is not just old age. In this specific piece, death is brought on by a sword.

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Marshall, Cavendish. "Caravaggio." Great artists of the Western World II . London: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1988. 11-42. Print.