Top 10 – Most Violent Works Of Art

Top 10 most violent works of art

2. Caravaggio – Judith Beheading Holofernes 1598–1599

caravaggio

The beheading of Holofernes was a favourite subject of the age, Caravaggio’s approach was, typically, to choose the moment of greatest dramatic impact, the moment of the decapitation itself, x-rays of the painting have revealed that Caravaggio adjusted the placement of Holofernes’ head as he proceeded, separating it slightly from the torso and moving it slightly to the right. The faces of the three characters demonstrate the artist’s mastery of emotion, Judith in particular showing in her face a mix of determination and repulsion. the details of blood and decapitation, were presumably drawn from his observations of a public execution witnessed by the artist some years before, he was obviously paying close attention!

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