Judith and Her Maidservant, Artemisia Gentileschi
The source of light in this painting is the candle on the left, which gives the lighting here a strong chiaroscuro effect. The contrast between the dark sections of the painting, such as the shadow on Judith’s face and the background, and the lighter parts such as Judith’s hand and the Maidservant’s face, draw the viewer’s eyes to the action. The blackness of the background emphasizes the dark subject matter and the fact that the characters are hidden in the shadows.
I love the painter's use of light and shadow. I agree that the way the light models the women, it highlights their action and adds drama to the scene. I also like that the light selectively highlights key elements of the picture, like the emotions on their faces, but hides other elements, such as the objects that they are holding. It also could appear that Judith is trying to block out of the light, which makes it seem like she wants to be hidden. The lighting peaks my curiosity and makes me want to know more about the actions surrounding this snapshot in time.
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