‌

Why the Judith Beheading Holofernes painting shocks and inspires

Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith Beheading Holofernes is one of the most dramatic paintings of the Baroque era. Painted around 1620 by one of the few celebrated female artists of her time, it shows the biblical heroine Judith slaying the Assyrian general Holofernes with shocking realism. Fierce, unflinching, and unapologetically powerful, this masterpiece is often read as Artemisia’s personal declaration of strength in a male-dominated art world.

Where is it located?

You’ll find the painting in the Caravaggio and Artemisia halls on the first floor of the gallery.

Tickets

Entry is included with a standard Uffizi ticket, so no separate booking is required.

How to best visit Judith Beheading Holofernes

  • Enhance your visit with a guide: Join a guided tour or use an audio guide to learn the gripping story behind the painting. A guide can also help you spot Artemisia’s masterful use of Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro.
  • Best viewing spot: Stand directly in front to feel the full impact of the scene’s intensity. Step slightly back to take in Judith’s determined stance and Holofernes’s desperate struggle.
  • Observe the details: Look closely at the streams of blood, Judith’s firm grip, and the maid’s steady focus. These details heighten the drama and showcase Artemisia’s fearless brushwork.
  • Lighting effects: The gallery’s lighting accentuates the stark contrasts of light and shadow. Move a little to either side to see how Judith’s face emerges from darkness.
  • Photography tips: Photography without flash is allowed. A centered, head-on shot best captures the scene’s brutal symmetry and Artemisia’s dramatic use of shadow.
  • Best time to visit: The Caravaggio and Gentileschi rooms can be crowded midday. For a quieter experience, go right after the gallery opens or in the late afternoon.

Did you know?

🎨Artemisia painted multiple versions of Judith Beheading Holofernes. The Uffizi’s version (c.1620) is considered the most dramatic.

🔪The scene comes from the Book of Judith, where Judith saves her people by killing Holofernes.

💪Artemisia’s interpretation is often read as personal: she overcame hardship and injustice in her own life, channeling it into art.

👚Notice Judith’s sleeves rolled up, which was unusual for the time and a sign of her determination.

Story behind Judith beheading Holofernes

A bibilical heroine in paint

The story comes from the Book of Judith. Judith, a widow, enters the tent of the Assyrian general Holofernes, gets him drunk, and decapitates him to save her city.

Artemisia's bold vision

Around 1620, Artemisia Gentileschi painted this shocking moment with unparalleled realism. Unlike earlier, more modest versions by male artists, her Judith is fierce and resolute, sleeves rolled up as she completes the task.

Symbolism of strength

Beyond the biblical tale, the painting reflects Artemisia’s personal resilience. Having faced hardship early in her career, she painted women not as passive beauties but as active, powerful agents of change.

Who created Judith Beheading Holofernes?

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1656) was an Italian Baroque painter and one of the first women to gain recognition in a male-dominated field. A follower of Caravaggio, she mastered dramatic contrasts of light and shadow but brought her own perspective: women in her works are strong, complex, and central.

This painting, made in her twenties, marked her rise as one of the most powerful storytellers of her era. Artemisia went on to work across Italy and even in England, leaving behind a legacy that redefined women’s place in art history.

Frequently asked questions about the Judith beheading Holofernes painting at the Uffizi Gallery

No, the painting is included with all standard Uffizi Gallery tickets.

More reads

Medusa

Doni Tondo

Adoration of the Magi