Judith from Heroes and Heroines of the Old Testament

Art Historical Context

In the late 16th century, artist Hendrick Goltzi created this striking engraving, *Judith from Heroes and Heroines of the Testament* (ca. 1597), capturing the biblical heroine at a pivotal moment. Judith, from the Book of Judith in the Apocrypha,uced and beheaded the Assyrian general Holofernes to save people—a tale of cunning, courage, and divine intervention that resonated in Renaissance art as a symbol of female empowerment and faith triumphing over tyranny. Goltzius, a master of Mannerism, included this oval composition in a celebrated series glorifying Old Testament figures, blending classical grandeur with dramatic intensity. Rendered as a large-scale engraving (sheet: 17 5/16 x 13 in.), the work showcases Goltzius's virtuoso technique: bold, swelling lines and intricate cross-hatching that mimic the richness of oil painting, creating a sense of volume and texture on paper. The focus on Judith's resolute face and the severed head underscores themes of heroism and violence, inviting viewers to ponder moral complexity. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011), this print exemplifies the era's innovative printmaking, making high art accessible beyond paintings and influencing generations of engravers.