Painting the Judith and Holofernes story seems to be a narrative painter’s rite of passage. Here is Liss’ take on the biblical story, painted in Italy around the same time that Gentileschi painted her version. Liss must have seen the dramatic version done by Caravaggio too, but Liss’ composition differs in that it gives us a direct view of Holofernes’ spurting neck and Judith’s back, after she had just done the murderous deed.
