A young woman in a vivid red and gold dress sits on a stone bench, her gaze meeting the viewer directly. To her right, another woman stands, dressed in a white headdress and dark robe, her face turned in profile as she looks down at a severed head held by its hair. The severed head, bearded and heavy-lidded, hangs from the servant's hand, its features rendered with striking realism and shadow.

The seated figure's left hand rests on the bench, while her right arm is bent, her sleeve billowing with crisp white folds that catch the light. Gold embroidery and a dark, bejeweled belt accentuate the rich fabric of her dress, which pools in heavy folds at her lap. Both women have pale, softly modeled faces, their cheeks flushed with pink, and their expressions are calm and composed.

The background is a plain, warm-toned wall that sets off the figures and intensifies the dramatic lighting, which falls from the left and highlights the textures of skin, fabric, and metal. Gentle transitions of light and shadow give the scene a sense of volume and immediacy, while the careful brushwork reveals crisp outlines and subtle gradations, especially in the faces and textiles. The composition is tightly focused, with the three principal elements—the two women and the severed head—forming a compact group that fills the foreground.

Small details, such as the gold trim on the headdress and the intricate patterning on the dress, reward close inspection and add to the sense of luxury and tension. The scene includes all the principal figures noted in the title and catalogue: Judith, her servant, and Holofernes.