"Judith with the Head of Holofernes" by Cristofano Allori (1577-1621)

Judith beheads her Oppressor Judith, the Jewish heroine of the Old Testament has symbolized the struggle of the Israelites against their oppressors of the Near East. She was a rich and beautiful Jewish widow from the city of Betulia which was besieged by the Assyrians. Judith succeeded in tricking the leader of the Assyrian army, Holofernes, into attending a banquet in his honor, after which she beheaded him. Assisted by a maid she returns to Betulia with Holofernes severed head. His death forced the Assyrians to flee.