Formal Analysis Essay - Art History
In the painting titled “Judith Slaying Holofernes,” Artemisia Gentileschi used color, tenebrism, and composition to depict an image of female heroism and strength (thereby promoting a powerful sense of female empowerment.) Judith was a Jewish woman who took upon herself the frightening challenge of killing Holofernes, a general that exercised much tyranny against the ancient Israelites whose land he was occupying at that time.
Gentileschi used extremely sharp and vivid colors when producing this oil on canvas painting. She also included multiple colors and shades. By doing so she was able to evoke a heightened dramatical impact on the viewer. Were the colors to be duller, faded, or hazy they would likely not be as striking to the viewer. When we observe how the squirting and dripping blood are emphasized, together with the detailed visuals of Judith and her maidservant heroically and forcefully holding down and slaying General Holofernes, we immediately feel like we are encountering a unique and somewhat unprecedented occurrence. At the same time, we very much feel like this sort of heroism is something that we should aspire to and are capable of pursuing. The colors in this painting are definitely a key element that contributes to its strong message and profound meaning.
Caravaggio’s style of creating dramatic paintings through tenebrism certainly had a significant impact on Gentileschi’s work. Tenebrism uses the contrast between light and dark as well as the use of shadows to highlight/put a spotlight on certain (primary) characteristics of any given painting. The event of Judith Slaying Holofernes took place in the dead of night. Gentileschi chose to maintain a dark theme and background yet vividly illuminate, through tenebrism the act of slaying general Holofernes. By doing so she compels any observer of this painting to feel like he or she is witnessing a truly heroic moment in history being courageously executed by these two women. The spotlight shining on Judith and her maidservant tells us that this is a moment when light and the forces of goodness have penetrated and overcome the darkness of oppression and subjugation.
The size of this painting is approximately 6’ 6 x 5’ 4. This means that we are dealing with quite a large painting. The size of this painting may be another indication that its composer wanted the viewer to be overwhelmed, perhaps even to feel empowered by it and find ways to apply it in our own lives. The space in this composition is not extremely crowded but not to lose either. The bodies of the three figures are foreshortened to different degrees. Having the body of Judith slightly turned toward us makes us almost feel like the fourth person in this scene. Bringing us into the scene is yet another way that Gentileschi makes it an emotional and moving experience for us, the viewers. At the center of the composition, there is essentially a triangle that encompasses its central theme and message. Gentileschi composed this painting in a way that there is a lot going on in the center (the arms engaged in different directions etc.) This again creates a dramatic effect, leaving the viewer with an impactful image of female heroism and strength.
Judith Slaying Holofernes is an inspirational story of the triumph of the underdog over its oppressor. Gentileschi’s pictorial composition depicting this story through her mastery of tenebrism and color serves as a raw and real image of a moment in history that is worth remembering. Everyone can be a hero, and what better way to remind us and build this concept into our culture than to put it down on a canvas in a way that can influence the masses for generations to come.