Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553) Judith with the head of Holofernes.
The first depiction was painted by his son Hans(1513-1537). The third one down is noted as by the 'School of Cranach the Elder'. The rest are by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Although, I have my suspicions about the fifth one down, but haven't found anything that states otherwise.
-The account of the beheading of Holofernes by Judith is given in the deuterocanonical book of Judith, and is the subject of numerous depictions in painting and sculpture. In the story, Judith, a beautiful widow and chosen by God, uses her charms to enter the tent of Holofernes, an Assyrian general out to destroy Judith's hometown. Overcome with drink, he passes out and is decapitated by Judith; his head is taken away in a basket (often depicted as carried by an elderly female servant). Artists have mainly chosen one of two possible scenes (with or without the servant): the decapitation, with Holofernes prone on the bed, or the heroine holding or carrying the head. -Wikipedia
The last two paintings are depicting Salome with the head of St. John the Baptist.
-According to Mark 6:21-29 (Salome is not mentioned by name in this passage so reference is incomplete), Salome was the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, danced before him and her mother Herodias at the occasion of his birthday, and in doing so gave her mother the opportunity to obtain the head of John the Baptist. According to Mark's gospel Herodias bore a grudge against John for stating that Herod's marriage to Herodias was unlawful; Herodias encouraged Salome to demand that John be executed. -Wikipedia
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Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553)
Judith with the head of Holofernes.
The first depiction was painted by his son Hans(1513-1537).
The third one down is noted as by the 'School of Cranach the Elder'. The rest are by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Although, I have my suspicions about the fifth one down, but haven't found anything that states otherwise.
-The account of the beheading of Holofernes by Judith is given in the deuterocanonical book of Judith, and is the subject of numerous depictions in painting and sculpture. In the story, Judith, a beautiful widow and chosen by God, uses her charms to enter the tent of Holofernes, an Assyrian general out to destroy Judith's hometown. Overcome with drink, he passes out and is decapitated by Judith; his head is taken away in a basket (often depicted as carried by an elderly female servant). Artists have mainly chosen one of two possible scenes (with or without the servant): the decapitation, with Holofernes prone on the bed, or the heroine holding or carrying the head.
-Wikipedia
The last two paintings are depicting Salome with the head of St. John the Baptist.
-According to Mark 6:21-29 (Salome is not mentioned by name in this passage so reference is incomplete), Salome was the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, danced before him and her mother Herodias at the occasion of his birthday, and in doing so gave her mother the opportunity to obtain the head of John the Baptist. According to Mark's gospel Herodias bore a grudge against John for stating that Herod's marriage to Herodias was unlawful; Herodias encouraged Salome to demand that John be executed.
-Wikipedia
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