Judith was painted by Jan Matsys.

Where can I see Judith?

Judith is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Judith?

Judith is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Judith?

Museum-quality prints of Judith are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Judith

Jan Matsys

Judith is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jan Matsys. It is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

Jan Matsys, a mid‑16th‑century Flemish painter, created an oil work titled *Judith* around 1600. The composition centers on the biblical heroine holding the severed head of Holofernes, rendered in a dramatic, low‑key setting. The painting belongs to the Flemish Baroque tradition and is part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

She is shown from the waist up, sword in her right hand, the fallen head in her left, her gaze directed downward in a composed, contemplative manner.

The image depicts Judith, the Jewish widow who saved her people by beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes. She is shown from the waist up, sword in her right hand, the fallen head in her left, her gaze directed downward in a composed, contemplative manner. The inclusion of regal accessories—a gold crown, necklace, and earrings—underscores her heroic status and the moral triumph of virtue over tyranny.

Technique & Style

Matsys employs chiaroscuro to separate the luminous figure from a dark, indeterminate background, enhancing the three‑dimensionality of flesh and fabric. The woman's skin is rendered in pale, almost translucent tones, while the sheer dress reveals her breasts and a green skirt is knotted at the waist. Gold highlights on the crown and jewelry catch the light, adding visual contrast and emphasizing the narrative focus.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the 17th century, *Judith* reflects the artist’s mature period, when he combined history painting with a keen interest in the female nude. The work entered the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, where it remains on view, representing the museum’s holdings of Flemish Baroque art and illustrating Matsys’s contribution to the genre.