In this portrait – believed to be a self-portrait of Marietta Robusti – the sitter gazes outward at the audience with a slight smile. Turned in a three-quarter pose toward the spinet, her left hand floats above the keys as if surprised by the viewer…
Compared to Giorgione’s Judith, Cariani’s Judith is dark and sensual, beautiful but clearly dangerous. Centrally positioned, Judith emerges from an ominous background filled with storm clouds, her left breast exposed and framed by dark green drapery…