Judith and Holoferenes on display

Heritage Malta is currently exhibiting the recently restored painting by Valentin de Boulogne, Judith and Holoferenes, at the Contemporary Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts in South Street, Valletta until September 4.

At the end of September, it will be on exhibit in the Caravaggisti Hall in the upper floor of the Museum which is currently being refurbished.

The painting was bought from a Roman collection by Vincenzo Bonello, Curator of Arts in 1926. It was first displayed at the National Museum and in 1974 transferred to the National Museum of Art.

The painting is based on the Biblical story of the Jewish widow, Judith, who seduces the Assyrian General Holofernes, then beheads him while he is drunk. Valentin's painting is one of several on the theme, which has been painted among others by Donatello, Botticelli, Titian, Gustav Klimt and Caravaggio.

In March 2006, the painting was taken to the Paintings Conservation Department at Heritage Malta's Conservation Division at Bighi in Kalkara. The delicate restoration work was carried out by members of Heritage Malta's conservation division. The painting was taken back to the Museum last July.