For some reason, the rather gruesome story of the Jewish heroine Judith slaying Holofernes has become associated with, of all things, the rather light-hearted festival of Chanukah. Perhaps, because like Judah the Maccabee, Judith is considered a symbol of liberty, virtue and victory of the weak over the strong in a just cause. A common decoration of menorahs in the 17th and 18th century was a finial of Judith with a sword in hand, carrying the head of her betrayed lover. It has been a common theme in classical art and sculpture, with the current most famous piece being the painting by Artemisia Gentilesche .

With Chanukah starting at sundown on December 15th, and that in mind, I did a sketch of my own for a future painting (perhaps) on the same theme.

My Judith seems a bit exhausted by her bloody, if heroic, deed. We'll see how that develops in the future.

Technorati Tags: Judith and Holofernes, Chanukah, Judah the Maccabee, ancient gods