Judith at the Banquet of Holofernes

Judith at the Banquet of Holofernes (also known as Artemisia Receiving Mausolus' Ashes and Sophonisba Receiving the Poisoned Cup) is a painting by the Dutch master Rembrandt. It is now in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain. It is signed "REMBRANDT F: 1634".

Judith
ArtistRembrandt
Year1634
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions142 cm × 152 cm (56 in × 60 in)
LocationMuseo del Prado, Madrid

The subject of the picture was unclear for centuries. It portrays a young woman, formerly identified as Sophonisba or Artemisia, or a generic queen due to her jewels and rich garments, receiving a cup from a maiden.[1][2] Today it is considered to be Judith at the banquet of Holofernes.[3]

For the woman, Rembrandt probably used his wife Saskia as model.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Catalog nr. 223 for "Sophonisba taking the Poisoned Cup" in Rembrandt catalog raisonné, 1914, by Cornelis Hofstede de Groot
  2. ^ Old 1896 Prado catalog entry nr. 1544 for "Queen Artemisia in the act of receiving the cup which contains, mixed with the liquor, the ashes of her husband Mausolius. Portrait of Rembrandt's wife."
  3. ^ Museum website
  • D'Adda, Roberta (2006). Rembrandt. Milan: Skira.