Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise are one of the most famous pieces of art and are truly stunning to witness. The doors were originally installed on the eastern door of the San Giovanni Baptistry, outside of the Florence Duomo. The twenty-eight main panels illustrate scenes from the life of John the Baptist and the eight virtues of hope, faith, charity, humility, fortitude, temperance, justice, and prudence.
Around the edges of the main panels are statuettes of additional Biblical characters. Judith is located on the bottom left. She is represented like a classical war hero, holding her spoil in her hand. Her right arm is raised holding the sword in a triumphant arc over her head. Additional arcs formed by the fabric of her gown continues a feeling of swirling motion.