JUDITH WITH THE HEAD OF HOLOFERNES.
CHRISTOFANO ALLORI.

This subject has been often treated by professors in
the art of painting. Judith holds in one hand the head
of Holofernes, and in the other the sword of the warrior,
with which she killed him. Her servant is beside her.
Over their head is a red curtain. The back ground of
the picture is brown.
Lanzi,an Italian author, relates a curious circumstance
of this picture, which attracted considerable admiration
upon its being exposed to public view. The figure of
Judith presents a portrait of a lady who was under the
protection of the painter. Her mother is represented in
the person of the old woman, and Allori took the head of
Holofernes from his own model, having previously suf-
fered his beard to grow, for the purpose, for a considera-
ble time.
This picture presents many beauties. If the figures have
not the dignity of history, they are well painted, and
ably coloured. The draperies are not happily exe-
cuted, but are not devoid of richness and harmony. The
robe of Judith is yellow, raised with gold; her mantle
blue, and the lining red. The dress of the servant is
white. The cushion, of which only a part is seen, is