The Story of Judith and Holofernes

Judith was a Jewish widow whose people were being threatened by the Assyrian Army. In order to save her people, she went to the Assyrian camp and pretended to seduce the Assyrian general, a tyrant by the name of Holofernes. However, instead of seducing him, she and her maid Abra got Holofernes drunk and then beheaded him, throwing his army into confusion. The Assyrians left and Judith saved her people.

The Story of Judith and Holofernes is a biblical story, often represented by Renaissance Artists. Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the rare female artists at the time, making her rendition of another woman's power and determination a poignant subject.

What differences and similarities do we see in the comparison to Ronald Hall's Slaying of a Tyrant?

 

Why do you think Ronald Hall refers to Artemesia Gentileschi's Judith and Holofernes in his painting?