Susanna and the Elders... Considered her FIRST work.
From Wikipedia
Artemisia Gentileschi (July 8, 1593 – 1651/1653) was an Italian Early Baroque painter, today considered one of the most accomplished painters in the generation influenced by Caravaggio (Caravaggisti). In an era when women painters were not easily accepted by the artistic community, she was the first female painter to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence.
She was one of the first female artists to paint historical and religious paintings, at a time when such heroic themes were considered beyond a woman's reach.
Artemisia Gentileschi was born in Rome, on July 8, 1593, the first child of the painter Orazio Gentileschi, one of the best representatives of the school of Caravaggio. Artemisia was introduced to painting in her father's workshop, showing much more talent than her brothers, who worked alongside her. She learned drawing, how to mix color and how to paint. Since her father's style took inspiration from Caravaggio during that period, her style was just as heavily influenced in turn. But her approach to subject matter was different from her father's.
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From Wikipedia
Artemisia Gentileschi (July 8, 1593 – 1651/1653) was an Italian Early Baroque painter, today considered one of the most accomplished painters in the generation influenced by Caravaggio (Caravaggisti). In an era when women painters were not easily accepted by the artistic community, she was the first female painter to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence.
She was one of the first female artists to paint historical and religious paintings, at a time when such heroic themes were considered beyond a woman's reach.
Artemisia Gentileschi was born in Rome, on July 8, 1593, the first child of the painter Orazio Gentileschi, one of the best representatives of the school of Caravaggio. Artemisia was introduced to painting in her father's workshop, showing much more talent than her brothers, who worked alongside her. She learned drawing, how to mix color and how to paint. Since her father's style took inspiration from Caravaggio during that period, her style was just as heavily influenced in turn. But her approach to subject matter was different from her father's.
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9 comments:
My gosh. This just makes me wonder all the more about how many brilliant women in all kinds of fields that we've been denied access to. Many man too, I'm sure. Luckily for Artemisia she was born into a family where her talents could be expressed and would find an audience although I am surprised that one of her brothers wasn't given credit for her work.
The painting itself is very disturbing to me. The woman revealed to the whispering-(probably)leering men. I guess in a way it kind of expresses her story. She stands naked before the art world of men and must suffer being shunned. She has to reveal far more of herself than the male artists she knows.
Me too, it is disturbing to me.
Such a raw and empathetic scene, you can just feel her trying to block it all out.
If you think this is disturbing you should see some of her other works.
She was denied access but her father hired a private tudor, who apparently raped her.
He went on trial for it, but it was she that was tortured, her fingers put into a vise.
As an artist that is the worst thing I could think of, to have my fingers mutilated. Or my eyes.
Luck was not really something I would attribute to her. Her life seemed very... traumatic.
She was denied the work she should have been given.
I had wondered often about when I would run into the 'first' female Italian Master.
There is something about her though that is just so unexpected. Her story is so...timeless.
Her art is disturbing, yet, brilliant and highly skilled.
Unlike the men, I feel like I know nothing about her from her actual paintings. Her purpose, her thoughts and even her mood is just so...void and mysterious.
Not only that but there is virtually no view of the 'growth' process, where she goes from being good to better to great.
It is like she just emerges, already fully matured. No hint at the struggle to get there.
Her works... all of her... disturbs me. But not in a repulsive way. I just want to reach back through time, put my hand on her shoulder and ask her 'Are you ok?'
Oh her first 5 children, only one survived childhood.
The expression on the woman's face. Resignation and endurance. This painting almost reflects those experiences you've told of. I'm am sure that her life experiences are there, in some way, in all of her work.
Sad. Disgusting. The life she had to endure and resign herself to. And yes - for an artist in any field, the hands are vital. Hands, even more than the eyes and ears.
The same as muslim extremist's view that the raped is the guilty party and should be drawn and quartered; punished to the death for being raped.
Sometimes it seems the world has not come far at all.
Was the surviving child a boy or girl? An artist?
A daughter. And no, she showed no artistic talents, pretty much disappears from record after her mother died.
She was tortured not as a suspect, but as a witness. They crushed on her fingers to 'verify' she was telling the truth about what he did to her.
That Wikipedia article really is fascinating, it tells about how the rapist was caught in a bunch of different plots and sins, including a plan to kill his own wife.
A real asshole.
No, it does not seem like we have come very far at all sometimes.
What sad sad spectacle we must be to watch from a distance.
There is no doubt her father 'helped' her with this canvas, it was her 'first', after all.
It is hard for me to believe she literally went from nothing to THAT on her first work.
Unless a Master was at her elbow it really seems impossible this could be her first sole work.
This is a treasure. Thanks for sharing!
The oppression of womensfolk must stop. NOW. And I feel it more than ever, sitting in a country where women are still denied many basic rights.
Formerly Ally McLesbian
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