Date of Award

3-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture

Department

Art

First Advisor

Trent Olsen

Second Advisor

James Hutson

Third Advisor

Esperanca Camara

Abstract

This thesis argues that through iconography and specific artistic techniques, Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith and Her Maidservant utilizes the biblical story of Judith and Holofernes to relay a distinctly female-centered narrative, reflective of the ideals of her seventeenth century Italian community. This piece stands apart from other representations of this narrative in that Judith was commonly shown as either dainty yet violent in the act of decapitating Holofernes, or as a saintly victor proudly displaying his head to her people. With Judith and Her Maidservant, Artemisia displays an obvious sororal alliance between Judith and her servant Abra, while cleverly implementing Caravaggesque tenebrism which serves to represent an even larger feminist theology. Placing the work within the patriarchal Counter Reformation in which it was created, this thesis contends that while embracing the already powerful biblical tale, Artemisia expands that narrative, so it is not only about one woman, but is in fact symbolizing collective female agency. Additionally, this thesis addresses the cultural events that impacted Artemisia’s life and oeuvre, and biographical contexts that have led to common modern interpretations of her work. The argument is made that Judith and Her Maidservant is a visual manifesto to female camaraderie and intelligence, representing the hope that existed in Baroque era Italy that gender equality was on the horizon.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: Traditional art historical interpretations often categorize Artemisia Gentileschi's work primarily through the lens of her personal trauma or present her Judith figures as either dainty victims or religious icons, overlooking the broader narrative of collective female agency and the specific sociopolitical hope for gender equality in seventeenth-century Italy. 

  • The Method: This thesis utilizes a comparative iconographic analysis and historical framework, evaluating Judith and Her Maidservant (1618–19) alongside contemporary feminist treatises by Moderata Fonte and Lucrezia Marinella, the influence of the Medici "gynocratic" governance in Florence, and technical forensic data from X-ray technology. 

  • Finding: Gentileschi utilizes Caravaggesque tenebrism to direct the viewer’s gaze toward an unknown, off-canvas space, serving as a visual metaphor for a future of realized gender equality. 

  • Qualitative Finding: The painting establishes an "iconic monumentality" through the physical closeness and shared task of Judith and her servant Abra, symbolizing sororal alliance and the subversion of patriarchal class structures; the inclusion of a Medusa or Gorgon pommel on the sword represents feminine power overcoming masculine dominance. 

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