ArtemisiaGentileschi or ArtemisiaLomi (Italianpronunciation: [artemizjadentileski]; July 8, 1593 –c. 1656) was an Italian Baroque painter,today considered one of the most accomplished painters in thegeneration following that of Caravaggio.In an era when female painters were not easily accepted by theartistic community or patrons, she was the first woman to become amember of the Accademiadi Arte del Disegno in Florence and hadinternational clientele.
She specialized in painting pictures of strongand suffering women from myths, allegories, and the Bible- victims,suicides, warriors.[3] Someof her best known themes are Susannaand the Elders (particularly the 1610 inPommersfelden) and JudithSlaying Holofernes(most famous is her 1614-20 in Galleriadegli Uffizi)and Judithand Her Maidservant (her version of 1625 atthe DetroitInstitute of Arts).
She was known for being able to convincinglydepict the female figure, anywhere between nude and fullyclothed.[4][5] Artemisiawas also famous for her skill and talent in handling color, bothoverall in the composition but also in building depth.
That she was a woman painting in theseventeenth century and that she was raped as a young woman byAgostino Tassi and participated in the prosecution of her rapistlong overshadowed her achievements as an artist.[8] Formany years she was regarded as a curiosity. Today she is regardedas one of the most progressive and expressive painters of hergeneration.
