Kehinde Wiley- Judith, and Holofernes, 2012

oil on linen, 120 x 90 in.

Happy Belated Birthday to Kehinde Wiley (February 28, 1977)

Kehinde Wiley, Judith, and Holofernes, 2012, oil on linen, 120 x 90 in., Purchased with funds from Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hanes in honor of Dr. Emily Farnham, by exchange, and from the North Carolina State Art Society (Robert F. Phifer Bequest), by exchange

One of my favorite pieces by Kehinde because of my love of the artwork of the same name by Artemesia Gentileschi.

Artemisia Gentileschi (Rome 1593–Naples c. 1653) Judith and Holofernes 1612–17 Oil on canvas 159 x 126 cm Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte Inv. Q 378...

The two paintings, by Kehinde Wiley and Artemisia Gentileschi, were made hundreds of years apart. But they have more in common than you might think.

Artemesia Gentileschi made hers in the 1610s. Kehinde Wiley painted his in 2012.

But both are interpretations of the same apocryphal story, of Judith and Holofernes. Set in the 6th century B.C.E., Judith, an Israelite woman, gained access to the invading Assyrian general Holofernes' private quarters. After he fell asleep, Judith and her maidservant beheaded him. - What you need to know before visiting SLAY at the Kimbell Art Museum