Judith with the Head of Holofernes
ca. 1587 â 1605
Medium
figures
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-2676
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Behold *Judith with the Head Holofernes*, a compelling sculptural work in figures by Flemish artist Jan van der Stra, known as Stradanus (1523–1605). Created around 1587–1605, this piece captures the dramatic biblical heroine from the Book of Judith, bravely decapitates the Assyrian general Holones to save her people. Now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum through a generous museum purchase, it exemplifies Stradanus's mastery in rendering dynamic human forms. Stradanus, a prominent Mannerist active in Florence and Antwerp, was renowned for his inventive designs in prints, tapestrie...