This biblical scene, from the Book of Judith in the Old Testament, depicts the assassination of the Assyrian general Holofernes by the Israelite Judith and her maidservant Abra. The Assyrians had Judith's home city, Bethulia, under siege, but through her charm and intelligence, Judith manages to get Holofernes drunk enough for her to cut his head off. This heroic act of rebellion does not only save Bethulia, but it also saves the closely located Jerusalem from being destroyed by the Assyrians. Art historians believe this painting is an outlet for the rage felt by Artemisia after she was raped by her tutor Agostino Tassi in 1611, with Artemisia painted as Judith and Agostino as Holofernes. Born from this trauma or not, this painting is an incredible showcase of Artemisia's skill, her ability to portray strong women in her art, and her mastery of chiaroscuro.