Judith with the head of Holofernes or Salome with the head of St John the Baptist

De Cordua employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting a deep, almost black backdrop with illuminated forms to heighten the emotional intensity. The careful modeling of light on the woman’s face and the gleam of the blood‑stained cloth exemplify the dramatic realism typical of Flemish Baroque painting.

The work was produced during de Cordua’s period of activity in Vienna and Prague, where he was known for biblical subjects. After changing hands over the centuries, it entered the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on view.

Flemish Baroque art often explored violent biblical episodes to convey moral lessons. Judith’s beheading of Holofernes and Salome’s presentation of John the Baptist’s head were popular themes, allowing artists like de Cordua to display virtuoso handling of anatomy, drapery, and emotional expression.