Franz von Stuck

1863 Tettenweis near Passau – Munich 1928

Frank von Stuck’s interpretation of this well-known subject stands out through its fine composition and a bold use of colours. A naked Judith puts her left knee on the bivouac of Holofernes who, overcome with wine, has fallen asleep. Her body is twisted and in a tense posture. She holds the shaft of her sword with both hands. Judith pauses for a while. She carefully watches the man that she intends to decapitate. Her light body contrasts with the shady setting. The dark parts are elaborately painted in muted colours: While blue and green blankets caress Holofernes’s body, deep red colour fields emerge in the background. Judith and Holofernes each wear a golden earring referring to their wealth and high position in society. 

Franz von Stuck studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich under Wilhelm von Lindenschmit the Younger and later under Ludwig Löfftz. He drew inspiration from Wilhelm von Diez, Arnold Böcklin and Franz von Lenbach as well as from extensive self-studies. From 1887 until 1892, he worked for the magazine „Fliegende Blätter“, from 1896 until 1901 for „Jugend“. In 1892, Stuck was a founding member of the Munich Secession. He was granted a professor title in 1883 teaching at the Munich Academy from 1985. In 1906, he was ennobled. Stuck was a major representative of an Art Nouveau influenced by Symbolism. Alongside Lenbach, who was a generation older, he was prominent in the Munich art scene as the flamboyant “painter prince”. Among his students were Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Alfred Kubin and Josef Albers.