French school circa 1630 Judith holding the head of Holofernes Oil on canvas Unframed Judith beheading Holofernes, oil on canvas, French School, ca. 1630 40.94 x 32.87 in. 104 x 83.5 cm Provenance: Private collection, Ile-de-France It is always exciting to discover a Caravaggesque painting in such a fine state of conservation. At the crossroads of schools and influences, our striking composition seduces us with its bold palette combining subtle shades of yellow, orange and red. The tension in the rendering of the scene is perfectly convincing, matching the moment described in the Old Testament, when Judith leaves the tent with the utmost discretion. If the servant's gaze is full of questioning as she awaits her mistress's orders, Judith's is determined; the daring Jewish heroine is carrying out a mission that she will carry through to the end. Our composition, which we present as an original - so generous is the material, so fluid and sure is the brushwork - seems to have had a certain success, since we know of at least one copy presented for sale as Matteo Loves1. 1 - Anonymous sale; Rome, Bertolami Fine Arts, 26 November 2021, lot 273: Matteo Loves, Judith and Holofernes, oil on canvas, 91 x 114 cm. French school circa 1630 104 x 83.5 cm