Judith with the Head of Holofernes - Lucas Cranach the Elder
Archival giclée
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Description
A striking Northern Renaissance portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder, depicting the biblical heroine Judith in elaborate sixteenth-century court attire.
Lucas Cranach the Elder produced several versions of the biblical heroine Judith, a subject that allowed him to explore the contrast between feminine beauty and the violence of the Apocryphal narrative. In this specific composition, Judith is depicted with a calm, almost detached expression, holding the severed head of the Assyrian general Holofernes. Her attire is characteristic of the German court fashion of the early sixteenth century, featuring a structured bodice, puffed sleeves, and an elaborate hat adorned with white feathers. The precision of her jewellery and the texture of her garments demonstrate the technical skill associated with the Cranach workshop.
The background is a stark, dark void, which forces the viewer to focus entirely on the figure and the grisly object she holds. This use of a neutral, dark ground is a common device in Cranach's portraiture, removing any narrative context to isolate the subject. Judith grips the hilt of a large sword, her hand adorned with rings, while her other hand rests upon the head of Holofernes. The head itself is rendered with a focus on the physical reality of death, contrasting with the polished, idealized features of the heroine.
Cranach's approach to this subject often blurred the lines between religious allegory and courtly fashion. By dressing Judith in the height of contemporary style, he brought the ancient narrative into the immediate experience of his sixteenth-century audience. The painting functions as a study of material culture as much as a depiction of a biblical event. The fine lines of the embroidery and the metallic sheen of the sword reflect the artist's attention to detail. This work remains a representative example of the Northern Renaissance interest in combining moralising themes with the meticulous observation of costume and human form.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Judith with the Head of Holofernes - Lucas Cranach the Elder
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