JUDITH
Gustav Klimt 1862-1918
Osstereichische Galerie, Vienna
COMMENT by De Mer
This noted work by Gustav Klimt painted in his art nouveau style and in a freize type representation enjoys a notorious reputation. His masterly execution of paint, the style and colour used to represent this subject give us the feeling of the sensual and the erotic. The artist combines it with the suggestion of the macabre. The legend of Judith is one of paradox, the story of a Jewish heroine who used her charms to seduce the Army Leader Holofernes to his death. An archetypal concept that is related in the story of Eve, Lilith, Samson and Delilah, Salome and John the Baptist. In its primordial form it is the "fear" inert in the masculine psyche that would reside in male spiders and the praying mantis'. Judith the courtesan who was held in little regard by her community until she had displayed her patriotism with the severing of Holofernes head is seen now as the heroine on a collective level. But to the individual male, he encounters the prospect of his demise by this confronting femme fatale. Klimt executed this piece in 1901. The work has commanded much comment and attention since its first exhibit and has been enhanced by the notoriety earnt during in Klimt's life. Klimt had a reputation as a "ladies man" and was intrigued by the Judith legend, he may have been led to it by experience? His effort here gives us a sensual, erotic beauty with eyes of promise, that excites the male to put aside caution and fall victim to his senses. The obvious decadence (suggested in the gilted gold) and the glint of Judith's teeth belies the sinister aspect of her nature and the potential for danger. Klimt's use of colour and texture gives an exotic feel and the colours of skin and gown embedded with gold make Judith more alluring. The dominant form of Judith confronts the veiwer breast exposed. In other versions of this work by Klimt the grotesque side of Judith is more obvious. Looking down in the bottom left corner of the work, the caressing grip of Judiths hand on the severed head of Holofernes sums up the whole Parody.
