This is the fourth and final image in a series of photographs based on the bible story of Judith and Holofernes. You can find the series, together with the story from which the images derive, here:

https://www.jameshallphotography.net/judith-and-holofernes

The series was inspired by Artemisia Gentileschi and her picture of Judith slaying Holofernes. Artemisia was a rare female artist of the Renaissance period who was rpaed by a colleague of her father, also an artist, and tortured to test the veracity of her accusation when she demanded justice. Her subsequent paintings provided a number of opportunities to reflect her righteous anger at the treatment she received.

With thanks to Ella Rose and Joel Hicks who modelled for this image, and Claudia Oliver of Falcieri Designs who provided Ella’s dress.