Judith and the Head of Holofernes c. 16th century

Curator: This is Zoan Andrea’s “Judith and the Head of Holofernes,” an engraving at the Harvard Art Museums. It's about 30 by 25 centimeters. Editor: It strikes me as surprisingly domestic, almost casual for such a brutal subject. The figures look like they're posing for a family portrait of sorts. Curator: Right? It's fascinating how Judith, typically portrayed as a heroic figure, is depicted here almost as a co-conspirator. The maid is holding the head, it feels…shared. Editor: Yes, and considering the patriarchal context of the time, the engraving can be viewed as a powerful statement on female solidarity and resistance against oppression. Curator: It’s unsettling, thinking about how such an image can still feel so, you know, complicated today. Editor: Absolutely, Judith's story offers us a potent lens through which to examine themes of resistance, gender, and power dynamics that still resonate profoundly.