Earlier this month, the most anticipated exhibition of the year opened at the National Gallery in London. Simply entitled, Artemisia, it was the first exhibition in the UK to feature this Baroque artist's work.
Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1654 or later) is the most celebrated woman artist of the baroque period in Italy. Her career spanned more than 40 years, as she moved between Rome, where she was raised and trained by her father, Orazio Gentileschi, to Florence, where she gained artistic independence and became the first female member of the city’s academy of artists, and to Venice, London and Naples. Often featuring heroic female subjects, her paintings were predominantly intended for private clients. Today they are recognised for their dramatic power and originality, showing Artemisia to be one of the most compelling storytellers of her time.
This beautiful book accompanies a monographic exhibition at the National Gallery, the first dedicated to Artemisia in the UK. It includes an essay on her life and career; a discussion of her personal and artistic relationship with her father; a summary of critical writings and an overview of the wide range of approaches to Artemisia’s work since her rediscovery by feminist art historians more than 50 years ago; a more personal insight into Artemisia through her letters; a discussion of the artist’s self-representation in her work; and an essay dedicated to her painting technique.
Even if you are unable to see the exhibition, this is a must-have book for anyone who is interested in Artemisia Gentileschi, and will become one of the fundamental references of her life's work. The catalogue is of the highest quality and is a wonderful keep-sake of her paintings, together with the stories and history behind them. The essays are of the utmost interest and help the reader to discover how Gentileschi became the most celebrate woman artist of the age. It is wonderful to see, at last, that painter's such as Artemisia Gentilesch are receiving the recognition that they deserve.
Artemisia
Author: Letizia Treves
With Sheila Barker, Patrizia Cavazzini, Elizabeth Cropper, Larry Keith, Francesco Solinas and Francesca Whitlum-Cooper
Publisher: National Gallery of London Ltd
Published: March 2020
Cost: £30
Artemisia is on at the National Gallery from London 3 October 2020 – 24 January 2021.
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