Untitled (Assyrian warriors) - from "Judith et Holopherne" portfolio

Tony Torrilhon

From a portfolio of thirty copperplate engravings and etchings titled "Judith et Holopherne," published in an edition of 15 signed and numbered sopies. This is likely a proof from before publication.

Torrilhon depicted the famous biblical tale of Judith beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes to save the Israelites. In the portfolio each of the thirty images included a quote from the Book of Judith. For this image, Torrilhon depicts Holofernes' army, whom he has directed to attack the village of Bethulia for rebelling against King Nebuchadnezzar. It's there that Holofenes will ultimately meet his doom at the hand of the widow Judith, who decapitates him.

Quoted in the portoflio is: "Il donna ordre a ses troupes de se porter sur Bethulie, et d'engager ainsi le guerre coutre les Israelites (He ordered his troops to march on Bethulia, and thus engage in war against the Israelites)."