Lives and Letters of Artemisia Gentileschi

Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter known for her naturalism, use of color, and chiaroscuro. Born in Rome, she was trained by her father and was the first woman to become a member of Florence's Accademia delle Arti del Disegno. This book presents a collection of letters, biographies, and court testimonies, supplemented with essays by contemporaries, and includes three works that have recently been attributed to Gentileschi. An introduction by Sheila Barker contextualizes these texts and discusses Gentileschi's legacy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2020
Publisher: Pallas Athene

Lives of Artemisia Gentileschi



Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1653) was an Italian painter renowned for her exceptional naturalism in depicting the female body, as well as her skillful use of vibrant colors and dramatic lighting techniques known as chiaroscuro. Hailing from Rome, she received early training from her father, the accomplished painter Orazio Gentileschi, and by the age of a teenager, she had already established herself as a professional artist. During a time when women artists faced significant challenges in achieving success in their field, Gentileschi was sought after by royalty across Europe. Notably, she became the first woman to be admitted as a member of Florence's prestigious Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, later assuming the role of an educator in the arts.

To provide a deeper understanding of the remarkable life of this pioneering artist, this volume presents an engaging compilation of letters, biographies, and court testimonies, complemented by essays written by contemporaries. Several of these essays are published in English for the first time, offering fresh perspectives on Gentileschi's legacy. The vivid illustrations included in this book showcase three previously unknown works attributed to Gentileschi. An introduction by Sheila Barker, the founding director of the Jane Fortune Research Program on Women Artists, contextualizes these texts and explores Gentileschi's enduring impact.

Weight: 200g
Dimension: 145 x 116 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781843681960