A3: Judith and Holofernes (Late R)

Caravaggio's Judith and Holofernes (ca. 1598)

Linear- Since this piece is very late R early B, I think that it shows qualities of both linear and painterly. The sharp contrast of Judith's arms compared with the shadowy background and the blocks of the white color of her clothing make the painting seem linear. However, the shadowing of the bedsheets and of the red drapery seem more like painterly.
Planar- This painting is planar because all of the figures seem to be in one line. The only factor that gives the piece depth is the shadowing between where the figures are standing and the red drapery.
Open- Again, this piece demonstrates both R and B qualities. The painting is obviously open because Holofernes's body and the maid both go off.
Unity- Ditto B vs. R statement from above--- This piece demonstrates unity because the action of killing would not exist at all without the two figures of Judith and Holofernes.
Relative Clarity- This piece has relative clarity like the other painting of Judith and Holofernes by Artemesia whastername. You know that a man is being killed but the "why" is not present in the painting.