Judith, from Celebrated Women of the Old Testament

Art Historical Context

Behold Jost Amman's intricate etching *Judith, from Celebrated Women of the Old* (1568–96), a diminutive yet powerful print measuring just 3 5/16 x 2 5/16 inches. Created during the late Renaissance, this second state of two captures the biblical heroine Judith in a moment of triumph, sword in hand and Holofernes's severed at her feet—ev from the evocative tags of swords and heads Amman, a prolific Swiss-German artist known for his masterful woodcuts and book illustrations, contributed to the era's booming print culture, making art accessible beyond elite patrons. As part of a series honoring remarkable women from the Old Testament, this work reflects 16th-century fascination with female strength and divine justice. Judith's story from the Book of Judith symbolized resistance against tyranny, resonating in Protestant Reformation circles where Amman thrived in Nuremberg. The etching medium, prized for its fluid lines and tonal depth compared to rigid engravings, allowed Amman to convey drama in fine detail on such a small scale—ideal for collectors' albums or devotional books. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department through the Bequest of Phyllis Massar (2011), this gem highlights printmaking's role in disseminating heroic narratives, blending artistry with moral storytelling for everyday audiences.

About the Artist

Jost Amman · 1539–1591

Jost Amman (1539–1591) was a Swiss-born woodcut designer, engraver, and illustrator who became one of the most prolific and influential graphic artists of sixteenth-century Germany, producing an output of extraordinary range and technical virtuosity that shaped the visual culture of the later Reformation era. Born in Zurich, Amman moved to Nuremberg around 1560, the city that had been the center o...