A dramatic, highly stylized evolution of Klimt’s earlier 1901 Judith I, marking his transition toward Expressionism. The unusually long, narrow vertical composition dramatically heightens the sense of tension and motion. Judith is depicted almost in full length with a contorted, sinuous body, her claw-like hands fiercely gripping the dark hair of Holofernes's severed head near the bottom edge. Klimt merges Art Nouveau decorative motifs with an intense exploration of the seductive yet destructive femme fatale.