Master of Antwerp; c. 1560.

Master of Antwerp; circa 1560.
"Judith with the head Holofernes".
Oil on oak panel. Partially cradled.
It presents restorations on the pictorial surface.
Measurements: 97 x 79 cm; 114 x 96 cm (frame).
The work presents a background open to the landscape, dominated in the left side by the presence of a tent, in whose interior the recumbent body of Holofernes is distinguished. In the foreground, Judith, monumental, holds a sword in her right hand while with her left hand she grasps the hair of Holofernes, whose head is placed in a sack held by her servant. The quality of the drawing, of great technical skill, can be appreciated in the folds of the clothes, the detail of the jewels hanging from Judith's hair and tunic, the precision of the battle scene that takes place in a more distant plane, and in almost anecdotal details such as the bowl on the table, located on the right side of the composition. All these elements reflect the influence of the Antwerp school, in particular painters such as Jean Massys and Maerten de Vos between 1560 and 1570. Examples of this influence are several works of similar subject matter, such as the one in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston attributed to Jan Massys, where the faces of the protagonists bear a strong resemblance to those of this painting. In addition, both pieces share a sensuality characteristic of Massys, who embodied the 16th century trend of depicting Judith as a seductress rather than a virtuous conqueror.
This work illustrates the story of Judith, a young Jewish girl to whom Holofernes, the Assyrian general who planned to destroy the city of Bethulia, was attracted. According to the Book of Judith, she entered his tent and, taking advantage of his unconsciousness, decapitated him with her own sword and took his head.
As mentioned, the work shows a clear influence of the Flemish school, where the realistic description is paramount. However, the importance of color also stands out in this piece, which enriches the scene through details such as the pale face of the deceased Holofernes or the intensity of Judith's red cloak, an element that can be interpreted symbolically.