What's the difference between a heroine and a femme fatale in art? 'Judith (or Salome?)'

[@jeffkeith637]

She's all business. Judith. Great talk. More with Dr Alambritis please.

[@LB-ge8ih]

To me, there is a clue toward this being a representation of Judith with the head of Halofernes: In the narrative, Judith leaves her besieged city to enter the military camp of Halofernes and is invited into his tent, where she tells him he will be victorious, and while he is passed out drunk she beheads him. The background image in the window suggests what looks to be a pitched-type military tent (even with what appear to be wooden braces or tie-downs at the corners), which perhaps indicates the Assyrian troops surrounding Judith’s besieged city of Bethulia. Just a thought…

[@lukeyznaga7627]

ahah. VERY good point, sir. Excellent. believe you are right. If it was Salome, the background would be within an ancient Roman/Jewish architecture background, and not a desert.

[@lukeyznaga7627]

then again, there is a platter. Not a sack, so.... could be Salome.

[@ThankYou-bn6bp]

I swear the National Gallery of London is the best museum in explaining its collection to its audience. I bought the publication of the collections of paintings from many museums, not one of them doing nearly as good a job to show us what each painting means.

[@mvela9877]

I love learning about all the details a picture gives you 😲. It’s very interesting

[@anthonyudall8543]

The blue of her dress seems reminiscent of similar depictions of the Holy Mother. The blue is echoed in the sky to which her body is turned (implying she is concerned with the world outside her present location). Her sleeves are rolled up, suggesting she has had work to do. A powerful woman, intent on saving her people from tyranny, for me, this is Judith.

[@alexsargeant3944]

The structure in the background is clearly the silhouette of a 16th century tent. That makes this most likely Judith. The beheading took place in a tent.

[@jaykay1053]

My art history classes rarely interested me but these presentations always draw me in. Thank you for your years of dedicated study and preparation and for sharing your perspective in a way that reaches even visual-art-illiterate me. ⭐️

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

Excellent analogy. Thank you for your educational mission.

[@lisakilmer2667]

Excellent! Dr. Alambritis is a wonderful presenter.

[@PhilipMurphy8Extra]

I like learning about this picture, Thanks National Gallery 🙂

[@tearindawn]

Bravo! This was a perfect video

[@randyperdew2460]

The visual power of ambiguity. A woman can be both heroine and femme fatale.

[@lukeyznaga7627]

Thank god for this channel, or the gods. Dr. Alambritis is EXCELLENT.

[@parulpatel7154]

Brilliantly explained. Thank you👏

[@dominoscience3048]

Excellent presentation!

[@pablomagister1644]

Satisfied my curiosity. Thank you 🙏

[@lukeyznaga7627]

very good teaching. interesting. Art is fabulous. It can make us think about life and about the "message" portrayed in a scene, while also admire the beauty and the work of art of the picture. They didn't have photos and digital back then. but they could make works of art that gave us joy, peace and even made us think about life and our lives....if...if we wanted to think while enjoying the art.

[@novianovioTV]

Very good. I always find it strange when people say one likes a picture or one does not. No, we need to given insight by experts. Great presentation despite the offputtin’ apocope

[@pascaledelahaye3449]

Merci! Très intéressant!

[@fabianacamozzi775]

Vim aprender inglês, obrigada.

[@michaeldarby3503]

Didnt Artemisia paint Judith doing the beheading?

[@isashax]

That was very interesting!

[@ibean11]

I posted on FB a link from spotify of Florence and the Machine 'Free' from the album 'Dance Fever', the next day this video was recommended on my KZbin! Just to clarify Florence sings of feeling free when she dances - that's all! Dancing and feeling free or seeking the feeling of freedom is not some Femme Fatale protective characteristic

[@LemonDropYum]

Looks like a Salome because the head still has a smile...and a holy martyr like St. John would be smiling, as he's about to go to his eternal reward. Titian has a Salome that is very much like this one, rolled up sleeves, head on a platter. Judith is traditionally depicted holding the head of Holofernes by the hair (showing no respect whatsoever). Salome does ask for John's head on a platter.

[@katie-st8nx]

She seems burdened by the weight of her actions, seems more like a Judith. Seems like someone with their own convictions, not their mother's.

[@sallyseton-cy8mk]

I would suggest that the painting of the head itself suggests John the Baptist. Granted, he is not looking his best, but is this the head of a man with strong spiritual values or the head of a cruel oppressor? I think that the pleasing, rather refined features are more appropriate to John the Baptist.

[@splodge57]

Interesting talk of a fascinating painting, thank you. A shame the filming in the gallery has such a strong yellow colouring spoiling the pictures.

[@dgodiex]

true about the yellow tint.

[@TheSweeeeeetz]

Come here from tiktok 👍

[@JJONNYREPP]

How do you tell the difference between a heroine and a femme fatale? | National Gallery 1001am 7.3.23 i wouldn't know... she looks somewhat upset - to say the least. i would recommend the Ken Russell film: Salome, if you want a lateral take on such matters. as for art per se - i doubt anyone who read or listened to the most ardent pornographic discord could ever complain when confronted with a vast array of imagery such as we see, here.

[@jaybld7109]

I have no clue what just happened ! 😃👍

[@lynnblack6493]

Im for Judith! She does look like a determined, do it myself, lady!

[@callmeishmael3031]

How about the wife of a Medici enemy with a delivered memento of her husband?

[@lyonspainter]

Judith is an apocryphal book and not a book of the old testament

[@JamesHigham]

Ruined by the crashing “music” drowning out the girl. National Gallery please fix what was probably an excellent talk.

[@augustosolari7721]

I think the peaceful gesture of the head shows a Man who died in the peace of God. It must be Salomé then.

[@beanstaIkjack]

The glare of the lady's eyes in the painting says: 'He deserved it'. Also, isn't the blue and white garment an indication of another very well known woman?