Francesco Podesti, Room of the Immaculate Conception, c.1854, The Vatican
Francesco Podesti, Vault fresco – Room of the Immaculate Conception, c.1854, The Vatican
Francesco Podesti, “Judith” in vault fresco – Room of the Immaculate Conception, c.1854, The Vatican
The Sala dell’Immacolata — Room of the Immaculate Conception — at the Vatican. Not quite the Sistine Chapel but almost. Podesti was commissioned to decorate this chapel by Pope Pius IX following the Promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception on 8th December 1854. While the main feature is the immense fresco of throngs witnessing the Virgin Mary’s Immaculate Conception, the vault fresco has six octagons that depict:
- Faith
- Doctrine
- Survivors of Noah’s Ark
- Jael killing Sisera
- Ester fainting in front of Assuero
- Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Odd that Judith was good enough to be permanently affixed to the ceiling but was booted from the Bible.
yes, the title says my name is "Judith, to you." and it's as arrogant as it sounds. that's what happens when a giggley little girl is bestowed a heavy-weight name like Judith. but it's time to own my name. to be Shakespearean and wonder "What's in a name?" to learn about the artwork inspired by the name. to contemplate how a widow in a gleaming gown can decapitate a brute - and not muss her nails. join me in the bumpy ride through history and art and social change, all in the name of Judith.
judith2you 
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