Judith and Holofernes

Hermann Geibel




Just discovered this 20th C.
German sculptor,
and loved his vision
of a mean, young Judith










Quite a contrast to
Donatello's stately version
from the 15th Century





(and I was surprised
at how few good pictures
are showing this piece
on the internet.
In fact -- none of them are
very good except for this detail shot)


*******

But what about the rest of
sculpture history?


there must be some others,
..... besides myself











***************


and true to form,
Robert has replied
with the following:











these are, of course,
more pictures of the Donatello piece.

But that one is so incredible
it's not possible to have too many views.
(and according to Robert,
it was the first sculpture
to which the master signed his name)


Is it one of the great sculptures of all time ?
Yes - without a doubt.

But can I believe that a top general
would have taken
this tough-looking woman to bed
in the first place ?

I'm afraid not.









German, late 16th Century


Is this really Judith ?
Or.. is it a peasant woman
harvesting a head of cabbage ?



late 17th Century

It doesn't look this dominating Judith
ever had to take her clothes off





Lorenzo Ghiberti







Here's an unsigned piece
from the early 20th C.



This one could also serve
as a Salome,
i.e. a girl who is just as bad
as she can be