Two Views of Judith and Holofernes
ca. 1585 â 1605
Medium
figures
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-2643
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Behold *Two Views of Judith and Holofernes*, a captivating work by Flemish artist Jan van der Straet, known as Stradanus (1523–1605). Created around 1585–1605, this piece depicts the dramatic biblical story from the Book of Judith, where the Jewish heroine Judith beheads the Assyrian general Holofernes to deliver her people from siege. The title's "two views" invites viewers to appreciate the scene from multiple angles, highlighting Stradanus's skill in capturing dynamic tension and narrative intensity. Stradanus, a prominent Mannerist artist, trained in Antwerp before working in Italy for th...