In response to my recent supplication for pre-1900 female artists ( at the bottom of the post onLady Laura Alma - Tadema ) , reader Megan suggested Artemisia Gentileschi ’s " Judith Beheading Holofernes . " Gentileschi ’s life and artwork are enthralling , and she is definitely a departure from the manly artists we usually discuss in " Feel Art Again . " So , without further ado , I present Artemisia Gentileschi and " Judith Beheading Holofernes . "
1.Many of Artemisia Gentileschi ’s paintings are retellings of biblical tale from the char ’s perspectives . " Judith Beheading Holofernes , " of which she paint two reading , is one such model . The first variant , completed by 1612 ( and shown on the leftfield ) , is consider to be root on by Caravaggio ’s 1598 painting of the same study and title of respect . The second version ( show on the right ) was completed sometime between 1612 and 1622 .
2.In the 17th one C , although women of nobility and daughter of artists were often trained in artistic endeavour , they were not let in to art academy and usually did not make their livings through painting . Artemisia Gentileschi was an exception , part because her male parent , Orazio Gentileschi , was a well - fuck and well - regard creative person . He and his colleague trained Artemisia , and he promote his daughter ’s endowment to royalty , include the grand duchess of Tuscany , to whom he wrote :
3.Artemisia Gentileschi became a well - connected and well - honor artist , to the extent that several root remark that she " was reckoned not subscript to her Father-God in history , and stand out him in portraits . " In 1616 , she get together the Florentine Academia del Disegno as its very first female member . She surely metCaravaggio , of whom her Padre was a follower , and know Michelangelo Buonarroti the younger , nephew of the greatMichelangelo , who make her in high esteem and include her likeness in one of his paintings . She also wield a long friendship with Galileo Galielei .
4.While she was a teen , Artemisia ’s father take Agostino Tassi , a landscape and waterscape artist , to teach her view . In early 1612 , the Gentileschis accuse Tassi of raping Artemisia , which set off a seven calendar month , scandalous and much publicized trial . Although Tassi was jail , the trial was quite a core for Artemisia and sully her family ’s name . Tassi accused Artemisia ( plus her female parent and sisters ) of being a bawd and go in a brothel . The trial run included physical torture of Artemisia , specifically of her paw , to prove her truthfulness , as well as a vaginal examination to prove her virginity prior to the rape . ( ascertain out more about the trial , including attestator and statements , here . )
5.After the Tassi tribulation , Artemisia was espouse off to a fellow painter , Pietro Antonio di Vincenzo Stiattesi , who had prove on her behalf . The wedlock give rise four children ( only one of whom live to adulthood ) , but only survive 10 years . When the marriage fell apart , Artemisia became the head of her own household and raise her daughter , Prudenza ( who also paint ) , by herself , which was possible since Artemisia was the first woman who managed to live entirely by her brush . She plain made " a splendid income , " with patronage from the Medici family and King Charles I.
6.For two or three years , Artemisia resided at the court of King Charles I in England . While there , she collaborated with her father on a gravid deputation , the cap of the Queen ’s House at Greenwich .
7.Artemisia Gentileschi ’s tabloid - worthy aliveness has been the subject of several biographical novels , several point plays by Sally Clark , and a generally - base 1997 Golden Globe - nominatedfilm .
A heavy reading of Gentileschi ’s first " Judith Beheading Holofernes " is availablehere , while the second version can be seen largerhere .
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