Guido Reni, 1575 Bologna – 1642 ebenda JUDITH... Lot 232

Guido Reni, 1575 Bologna – 1642 ebenda JUDITH WITH THE HEAD OF HOLOFERNES Oil on canvas. Doubled. 111 x 89 cm. In wide hallmarked and gilt frame. Attached is a documentation by Andrea Emiliani entitled: "Giuditta con la testa di Oloferne di Guido Reni - Le eroine dell'età Barocca L'espressione e la bellezza di un capolavoro" and refers to the painting offered here. The present painting is accompanied by an appraisal which confirms, "Guido Reni's Judith and Holofernes holds a place among the most important paintings of the 1630s". In a highly rectangular format, Judith is prominently shown on the right, her sword of Italianate form leaning against a bed or seat post with acanthus decoration, the head of the Assyrian general Holofernes lying on a white cloth already soaked with blood. The killing of Holofernes is recounted in the Book of Judith in the Old Testament. After quite a bit of plundering and murdering throughout the Near East, Holofernes arrives in Betulia, where Judith manages to engage him and his entourage in carousing. Taking advantage of his drunkenness, she beheads him along with her maid. Some parts of the painting suggest at least a workshop collaboration. Rest. Note: The present painting compares well with a painting of the same subject and quasi-identical composition by D. Stephen Pepper in his book Guido Reni. L'opera completa, Novara 1988, p. 341 (Fondazione Zeri number 55884). The painting there measures 120 x 99 cm. (1290384) (13) Guido Reni, 1575 Bologna - 1642 ibid. JUDITH WITH THE HEAD OF HOLOFERNESOil on canvas. Relined. 111 x 89 cm. Attached a report by Andrea Emiliani titled: "Giuditta con la testa di Oloferne di Guido Reni - Le eroine dell'età Barocca L'espressione e la bellezza di un capolavoro" which refers to the present painting. It is also accompanied by a certificate confirming that "Guido Reni's Judith and Holofernes holds a place among the most imprant paintings of the 1630s". In this upright rectangular format, Judith is shown prominently in the right light, her sword of Italian form leaning against a bed or seat post decorated with acanthus ornaments. The head of the Assyrian general Holofernes is placed on a white cloth, already soaked with blood. The killing of Holofernes is reported in the Book of Judith in the Old Testament. After pillaging and murdering across the entire Middle East, Holofernes arrives at Betulia, where Judith manages to involve him and his entourage in a feast. Taking advantage of his drunkenness, she and her behead him. Some parts of the painting suggest workshop involvement in the execution. Restored. Notes: The present painting can easily be compared with a painting of the same subject and almost identical composition that D. Stephen Pepper mentions in his book Guido Reni. L'opera completa, 1988, p. 341 (Fondatione Zeri no. 55884). The painting there measures 120 x 99 cm.