The moment he is asleep she drives a tent peg through his temple; an act that earned Jael praise for her courage in the biblical text.

[4] Gentileschi and others of her generation, produced an array of paintings of strong women in literature, including Judith's beheading of Holofernes.

While the Jael story was less frequently portrayed in painting, historians believe that Artemisia's canvas was influenced by the work of Florentine artist Ludovico Cigoli.

[1] Jael's golden gown contrasts strongly with Sisera's red and blue garments, which is thought to signal her "virtue and imminent victory.

While living and working in Florence, Artemisia adopted this surname, which highlighted her relationship to her uncle Aurelio, already established in the city, rather than the Roman Gentileschi, to strengthen her ties to potential patrons.

As a result of the restoration the highlights on Sisera skirt were strengthened and some of the shadows are more mechanical in nature than those you would expect to see by Artemisia's hand.