Giulio Cesare Procaccini
Judith with the Head of Holofernes
Price upon request
Artwork Details
Commissioned by Giovan Carlo Doria (1576–1625), Genoa, by 1617-21
By descent to his son, Agostino Doria (1615–1640), Genoa, 1625-40
By inheritance to his paternal uncle, Marcantonio Doria (1572–1651), Genoa (his initials inscribed on the reverse of the original canvas), 1641
By descent to his son, Niccolò Doria (1599–1688), Genoa, 1651
By inheritance to Marcantonio IV Doria (1765–1837), Prince of Angri, Genoa, by 1780
By descent to his son, Francesco Doria (1797–1874)
By descent to his son, Marcantonio V Doria (1824–1870)
By descent to his son, Ernesto Doria (1863–1933)
By descent to his son, Marcantonio VI Doria (1904–1985) with his first wife Anna Rosa Bues (1872–1906)
Private Collection, Geneva
Sotheby's, London, The Property of a Gentleman of Title, July 8, 1992, lot 89
with Whitfield Fine Art, London, 1994
Mark Fisch and Rachel Davidson (Fisch Davidson Collection), acquired from the above, 1995
Sotheby’s, New York, January 26, 2023, lot 2
Private Collection, acquired from the above
Christie’s, New York, January 31, 2024, lot 41
Private Collection
A rare and important painting by Giulio Cesare Procaccini depicting the legendary Judith Beheading Holofernes—a subject that has captivated artists from Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi to Kehinde Wiley and Robert Longo. The dramatic biblical scene, rendered with striking chiaroscuro, exemplifies Procaccini’s mastery of light and emotion and his engagement with one of art history’s most enduring themes of justice and triumph.
This work holds exceptional provenance, having been commissioned by Giovanni Carlo Doria, one of Genoa’s most prominent collectors whose holdings included works by Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, and Van Dyck, remaining in the Doria family collection for approximately 300 years. It is recorded in the artist’s catalogue raisonné and has an extensive literature history.
Comparable compositions by Procaccini appear in major museum collections such as the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., and the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.
This painting represents a rare opportunity to acquire a museum-caliber example of the artist’s work, distinguished by both its art historical significance and exceptional provenance.
“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”— Henry Ward Beecher
Learn more about this artwork
Get in touch with us to learn more about Giulio Cesare Procaccini's Judith with the Head of Holofernes and a specialist will get in touch with you:
Looking for someone else?
At Heather James we have access to thousands of works, but not all can be shown on our website. If there is a particular artist or artwork you are interested in, please contact us and we will work with you to make your collection complete.