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Judith with the Head of Holofernes

ca. 1570–75

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 520

Known during the sixteenth century as an exceptional, righteous woman, Judith was a Jewish heroine who seduced the Assyrian general besieging her city and beheaded him to save her people. Judith’s story took on political implications in this period and her figure became a symbol of civic virtue, justice, and independence taken up by the free imperial city-states of the Holy Roman Empire. Likely a Protestant refugee from Flanders, Mannerist sculptor van Egen worked at the royal tombs in Roskilde Cathedral in Denmark.

Judith with the Head of Holofernes, Gert van Egen (Flemish (active Denmark), documented 1568, died 1611 or 1612), Partly polychromed and gilded alabaster, gemstones, freshwater pearls, silver, Danish — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Judith with the Head of Holofernes, Gert van Egen (Flemish (active Denmark), documented 1568, died 1611 or 1612), Partly polychromed and gilded alabaster, gemstones, freshwater pearls, silver, Danish

Judith with the Head of Holofernes, Gert van Egen (Flemish (active Denmark), documented 1568, died 1611 or 1612), Partly polychromed and gilded alabaster, gemstones, freshwater pearls, silver, Danish

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Judith with the Head of Holofernes

Artist: Gert van Egen (Flemish (active Denmark), documented 1568, died 1611 or 1612)

Date: ca. 1570–75

Culture: Danish

Medium: Partly polychromed and gilded alabaster, gemstones, freshwater pearls, silver

Dimensions: 13 7/8 in. (35.3 cm)

Classification: Sculpture-Alabaster

Credit Line: The Hearn Family Trust

Accession Number: L.2023.16.1

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European Sculpture and Decorative Arts at The Met

The Met's comprehensive collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century.