Artemisia Gentileschi Research Paper

Artemisia Gentileschi: the first female artist The first female artist, Artemisia Gentileschi was born on July 8th 1593 and would die as the most important woman painter in Early Modern Europe. At a very young age, Artemisia was introduced into the world of painting by her father, Orazio Gentileschi. Orazio was a well-known painter as well, with much of his work consisting in a Mannerist style. Italian painter Caravaggio, had a tremendous amount of influence on both Orazio and Artemisia. His realistic work revolving around the human state is clearly seen in Artemisia’s work. Artemisia’s mother died when she was young, leaving her dad as the main source of influence in what she would do for a living. Art in the late 1500’s and 1600’s was primarily created by men, therefore leaving a window of opportunity for Artemisia. At first she was excluded from studios, but that would simply not
Results of the trial eventually led to the feminist outlook on Artemisia in the late twentieth century. It is no surprise to see the trial upset many women and also men. The instance in which a party was undoubtedly guilty fueled the fire for a movement that would still be relevant today. Soon after the trial, she painted Judith Slaying Holofernes (1612-1613).
Historians call this work of art “remarkable in technical proficiency” especially given the way Judith is portrayed through the piece. What is so unique about the piece is that fact that the work takes a visual from the apocryphal Book of Judith in the Old Testament. Artemisia had the incredible insight to draw parallels with historical events and modify them to her artistic ability. Her visual puts her in the position as Judith and her rapist Tassi as Holofernes. Historian Mary Garrard once again attributes this work to the rage and expression of the outcome to the