The death of Holofernes

The death of Holofernes

Titles

The death of Holofernes

[CDA 2010]

Wie Judith dem Holoferns den Kopff abschläget

[Inventar Weimar 1938, fol. 1][1][1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Im Zelt des Holofernes

'Cranach d. Ä. 'Im Zelt des Holofernes'', [Aldenhoven 1890, No. 335][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Die Historia von der Judith und dem Holofernes

'Die Historia von der Judith und dem Holofernes in 2 Tafeln bestehend, auf Holz gemahlt von Lucas Cranachen ao 1531 [...] 179. (b) das andere wie Sie das Haupt in einen Sack stecket', [Inventar 1721, fol. 513f , No. 179][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Die Historie von der Judith, und dem Holoferne

'Die Historie von der Judith, und dem Holoferne in 2 Tafeln bestehend, auf Holtz gemahlt, von Lucas Cranach ao 1531. alß das [...] b)wie sie das demselben abgehauene Haupt in einen Sack stecket', [Inventar 1717, fol. 152][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Historia von der Judith und Holoferne

'Lux(Lucas) Mahler 6., 7 Historia von der Judith und Holoferne. 2 Stück', [Inventar 1659, fol. 1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Gegenstücke. Die Historia der Judith und des Holofernes

'Gegenstücke. Die Historia der Judith und des Holofernes. Idem (Lux[Lucas] Mahler)', [Inventar 1656, fol. 1, Nos. 6, 7][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Wie Sie [Judith] Ihm [Holofernes] den Kopf ab gehauen

[Inventar 1644][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Painting on limewood

Medium

Painting on limewood

[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

On two prestigious panels Cranach illustrates the story of the pious widow Judith, which is told in one of the Old Testament's apocryphal books (the book of Judith). After Holofernes - the assyrian field commander who served the tyrannical King Nebuchadnezzar - had pillaged and murdered throughout the Middle East

On two prestigious panels Cranach illustrates the story of the pious widow Judith, which is told in one of the Old Testament's apocryphal books (the book of Judith). After Holofernes - the assyrian field commander who served the tyrannical King Nebuchadnezzar - had pillaged and murdered throughout the Middle East he lay siege to the Judahite town of Bethulia. Judith decided to save her home town from the hopeless situation and went into the field commander's camp posing as a defector. Her beauty soon arroused the attention of Holofernes who then invited Judith to a banquet.

On the second painting Cranach depicts Judith - still holding the sword in her right hand - with her maid placing Holofernes' severed head in a sack. Oblivious to the tragic act performed in the tent the soldiers continue their bustling activity in the camp. Behind the row of covered wagons a council of war has gathered in a large circle, isolated skirmisches as well as a banquet taking place on numerous tables under an arbour are visible. A fortified town and a steep mountain with an imposing fortress are visible in the background at the left.

[Timo Trümper, in Exhib. Cat. Gotha, Kassel 2015, 272]

Attribution
Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attribution

Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 2015, No. 96]
[Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003, 172, No. 37]
[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 22]
[Schade 1974, 5]
[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]
[Aldenhoven 1890, No. 335][1]
"das Meiste an diesem Bilde von Cranachs eigener Hand"
[Schuchardt 1851, II, 62, No. 305][1]
"Cranach. Lucas Sunders."
[Verzeichnis 1826, fol. 65, No. 108][1]
"von Lucas Cranachen 1531, Nr. 179 b.) wie Sie das Haupt in einen Sack stecket", [Inventar 1721, fol. 513f., No. 179][1]
[1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Production date
1531

Production date

1531

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 98 x 73.6 cm [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 98 x 73.6 cm [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 23]

  • Dimensions including frame: 113 x 88.5 cm [Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, revised 1994]

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia bottom right on the drum: winged serpent with elevated wings, facing right and dated '1531'; in yellow paint

Signature / Dating

  • Artist's insignia bottom right on the drum: winged serpent with elevated wings, facing right and dated '1531'; in yellow paint

Owner
Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
Repository
Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
Location
Gotha
CDA ID
DE_SMG_SG675
FR (1978) Nr.
FR215
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SMG_SG675/

Connected Works

Judith dining with Holofernes
  • Judith dining with Holofernes, 1531
  • DE_SMG_SG674
  • Painting
  • Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha

Provenance

  • 1638 recorded in the 'Grünen Schloss' in Weimar,
    [Inventory Weimar 1638, fol. 1][1]
  • 1644 recorded in the 'Gotha Kaufhaus'
    [Inventar 1644. fol. 30][1]
  • 1656 recorded in the Kunstkammer in Gotha Castle
    [Inventar 1656, fol. 1, No. 6][1]

[1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 22]

Exhibitions

Gotha 1959
Weimar 1972, No. 47, fig. 65
Basel 1974, II, mentioned in the entry for No. 478
Berlin 1983, No. E 17.2 fig. 307
Gotha 1994
Gotha 2001, No. 1.6
Hamburg 2003, No. 37
Gotha/Kassel 2015, No. 96

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Wegmann 2017 25, 26
AuthorSusanne Wegmann
TitleDer selbstbewusste Maler. Lucas Cranach der Ältere im Selbstbildnis
Publicationin Gunnar Heydenreich, Daniel Görres, Beat Wismer, eds., Lucas Cranach der Ältere. Meister - Marke - Moderne. [Exhib. Cat. Düsseldorf 2017]
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2017
Pages20-27
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Gotha, Kassel 2015 272, 273, 275 96 Pl. p. 275
EditorJulia Carrasco, Justus Lange, Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha, Benjamin D. Spira, Timo Trümper
TitleBild und Botschaft. Cranach im Dienst von Hof und Reformation, [Gotha, Herzogliches Museum; Kassel, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Schloss Wilhelmshöhe]
Place of PublicationHeidelberg
Year of Publication2015
Show Literature
Sandner, Heydenreich, Smith-Contini 2015 135, Fn. 50
AuthorGunnar Heydenreich, Ingo Sandner, Helen Smith-Contini
TitleVeränderungen beim Unterzeichnen in Cranachs Werkstatt und die Arbeitsweise von Sohn Lucas
Publicationin Elke A. Werner, Anne Eusterschulte, Gunnar Heydenreich, eds., Lucas Cranach der Jüngere und die Reformation der Bilder
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2015
Link https://lucascranach.org/application/files/5215/6337/7366/Heydenreich_Sandner_Smith-Contini_2015_-_Unterzeichnung.pdf
Pages128-141
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Brussels 2010 99 77
EditorBozarbooks & Lannoo, Guido Messling
TitleDie Welt des Lucas Cranach. Ein Künstler im Zeitalter von Dürer, Tizian und Metsys [anlässlich der Ausstellung "Die Welt des Lucas Cranach", Palast der Schönen Künste, Brüssel, 20. Oktober 2010 - 23. Januar 2011]
Place of PublicationBrussels
Year of Publication2010
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Frankfurt 2007 202-205 46 p. 205
EditorBodo Brinkmann
TitleCranach der Ältere, [Frankfurt, Städel Museum, 23 Nov 2007 - 17 Feb 2008]
Place of PublicationOstfildern
Year of Publication2007
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003 51, 173 037 Pl. 37
EditorBucerius Kunst Forum, Werner Schade
TitleLucas Cranach. Glaube, Mythologie und Moderne [Bucerius Kunst Forum, Hamburg]
Place of PublicationOstfildern-Ruit
Year of Publication2003
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994 23
EditorStiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
TitleGotteswort und Menschenbild. Werke von Cranach und seinen Zeitgenossen
Place of PublicationGotha
Year of Publication1994
Show Literature
Schade, Schuttwolf 1994 23, 24, 37 1.5 Fig. p. 23, Pl. p. 37
AuthorWerner Schade, Allmuth Schuttwolf
TitleMalerei und Plastik
Publicationin Allmuth Schuttwolf, ed., Gotteswort und Menschenbild. Werke von Cranach und seinen Zeitgenossen, Exhib. Cat. Gotha
Place of PublicationGotha
Year of Publication1994
Pages15-94
Show Literature
Schuttwolf 1994 8 1.5
AuthorAllmuth Schuttwolf
EditorStiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
TitleGeschichte der Gothaer Kunstsammlungen
Publicationin Allmuth Schuttwolf, ed., Gotteswort und Menschenbild. Werke von Cranach und seinen Zeitgenossen, Exhib. Cat. Gotha
Place of PublicationGotha
Year of Publication1994
Pages7-12
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Berlin 1983 E17.2 Fig. p. 307
EditorAltes Museum, Berlin
TitleKunst der Reformationzeit
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1983
Show Literature
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979 112 No. 215 Fig. 215
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
EditorG. Schwartz
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBasel, Boston, Stuttgart
Year of Publication1979
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Basel 1974/1976 417-418, 578 under No. 478
AuthorDieter Koepplin, Tilman Falk
TitleLukas Cranach. Gemälde, Zeichnungen und Druckgraphik
Volume1, 2
Place of PublicationBasel, Stuttgart
Year of Publication1974
Link http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:16-diglit-104522
Show Literature
Schade 1974 56-59, 462 Figs. 151, 152
AuthorWerner Schade
TitleDie Malerfamilie Cranach
Place of PublicationDresden
Year of Publication1974
Link http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/schade1974
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Weimar 1972 B No. 47 Plate 65
EditorSchlossmuseum Weimar
TitleLucas Cranach 1472-1553. Ein großer Maler in bewegter Zeit
Place of PublicationWeimar
Year of Publication1972
Show Literature
Schenk zu Schweinsberg 1966 41
AuthorEberhard Schenk zu Schweinsberg
TitleDie früheste Fassung des Gemäldes der Ehebrecherin von Lukas Cranach d. Ä.Schenk
JournalKunst in Hessen und am Mittelrhein
Issue6
Year of Publication1966
Pages33-42
Show Literature
Thöne 1965 67
AuthorFriedrich Thöne
TitleLucas Cranach der Ältere
SeriesDie blauen Bücher
Place of PublicationKönigstein i. Taunus
Year of Publication1965
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1959 No. 12 Fig. 12
EditorSchlossmuseum Gotha
TitleKunstschätze, gerettet, bewahrt, übergeben
Place of PublicationGotha
Year of Publication1959
Show Literature
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1932 62 177
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1932
Link http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/friedlaender1932
Show Literature
Parthey 1863-1864 680 (Bd. 1) No. 35
AuthorGustav Parthey
TitleDeutscher Bildersaal. Verzeichnis der in Deutschland vorhandenen Oelbilder verstorbener Maler aller Schulen
Volume1, 2
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1864
Show Literature
Schuchardt 1851 C 62 305
AuthorChristian Schuchardt
TitleLucas Cranach des Aeltern Leben und Werke. Zweiter Theil
Place of PublicationLeipzig
Year of Publication1851
Link http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/schuchardt1851bd2
Show Literature
  • The death of Holofernes, 1531

Images

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  • conservation
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Technical studies

04. 2010Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr

Underdrawing

DESCRIPTION

Tools/Materials:

- fluid black pigmented medium and brush in two stages, beginning with diluted medium

Type/Ductus:

- detailed and freehand underdrawing

- thin lines in combination with broader lines; occasional washes

Function:

- binding for the final painted version; lines delineate contours and define forms, the thinner very dark lines describe the essential facial features; occasional representation of volume with grey washes

Deviations:

- minor alterations made during the painting process to clearly define form

INTERPRETATION

Attribution:

- Lucas Cranach the Elder ?

[Smith, Sandner, Heydenreich, cda 2012]

  • photographed by Gunnar Heydenreich
  • photographed by Ingo Sandner

Conservation History

Date1998 - 02. 2000

  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation

Summary of the treatment report (see pdf for the complete version in German):

  • open split

  • some small paint loss

  • discoloured retouches

  • yellowed varnish

Summary of the treatment report (see pdf for the complete version in German):

  • varnish removal (with solvents)

  • consolidation of the paint layers

  • removal of overpaint both mechanically and with solvents

  • reinforcement of the open split

  • retouching

  • isolating and final varnish

  • conservation treatment by Angela Möller
  • photographed by D. Demme

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'The death of Holofernes', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SMG_SG675/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'The death of Holofernes', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SMG_SG675/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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