Judith and the Head of Holofernes 

Bartholomeus Spranger made this oil on canvas painting, Judith and the Head of Holofernes, in the late 16th century. Spranger has used thin layers of oil paint to build up a rich, dark atmosphere, heightening the drama of the scene. Note how the viscous quality of the oils allows for the contrast between Judith’s luminous skin and the darkness lurking behind her. The artist's technique also draws attention to the sword in Judith's hand, and the severed head of Holofernes. The sword, a symbol of power, contrasts sharply with the limp head, emphasizing the vulnerability of the defeated general. The painting's somber mood and gruesome subject matter reflect the social and political turmoil of the time, a period marked by religious conflict and violence. The meticulous application of paint, and the artist’s awareness of its potential to create both beauty and horror, speaks to the power of skilled handwork to convey complex meaning. We can see craft as deeply enmeshed with wider social issues, inviting us to reconsider traditional distinctions between art and craft.