Klimt’s Festivities

Fashion x Art #12

As the festive season settles in along with shiny lights and glittery decorations, I was reminded of how powerful and confident a good outfit can make one feel in times of hardship (read, family time, sigh).

One of the most courageous female figures in the Bible, Judith, saved her people by cutting the Head of Holofernes, and we are surely all in need some of that courage to finish the year. As a famous biblical episode, the scene has been codified in the art historical canons since the Renaissance, by painters such as Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi. These canons tend to focus on the violence of the scene and the bloodiness of the act.

Yet, one of my favorite’s interpretations of the trope is the one by Gustav Klimt, who framed his work around the complex balance of sensuality, power and drive in Judith in 1901. In his version, she borrows the traits of Adele Bloch Bauer, a famous Viennese socialite and dear model to the artist. The head of Holophernes is cantoned to the bottom right corner and is cut, literally and by the frame, while Judith’s bold femininity is the main subject of the painting.

Klimt is mostly known for his use of gold sheets in his paintings, a perfect color for this time of the year – well year round if you ask me. Marilyn used to say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, well, I would slightly edit that to state that shines of any kind are a girl’s best friend.

So, if you want to feel like Judith this year, scroll down for some inspo!