Status
Available
Call number
Publication
New York : Viking, 2002, Hardcover, 288 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:"Susan Vreeland set a high standard with Girl in Hyacinth Blue.... The Passion of Artemisia is even better.... Vreeland's unsentimental prose turns the factual Artemisia into a fictional heroine you won't soon forget." �People A true-to-life novel of one of the few female post-Renaissance painters to achieve fame during her own era against great struggle. Artemisia Gentileschi led a remarkably "modern" life. Vreeland tells Artemisia's captivating story, beginning with her public humiliation in a rape trial at the age of eighteen, and continuing through her father's betrayal, her marriage of convenience, motherhood, and growing fame as an artist. Set against the glorious backdrops of Rome, Florence, Genoa, and Naples, inhabited by historical characters such as Galileo and Cosimo de' Medici II, and filled with rich details about life as a seventeenth-century painter, Vreeland creates an inspiring story about one woman's lifelong struggle to reconcile career and family, passion and genius.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member cameling
A fine historical fiction following the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, the first woman in 1600s Italy to be accepted to the Academy of the Arts of Drawing in Rome. Her works, of which her series of the Judith story is the most famous, portray strong females with attention to their natural form,
Her life as a painter was almost destroyed when she stood a public and humiliating court trial after her father accused her painting teacher of raping her. She was subjected to a public gynecological examination and tortured with thumbscrews during her interrogation. The belief at the time, was that, if a person could tell the same story under torture, then it must be true. She bore the physical scars of the thumbscrews for the rest of her life on her hands.
To escape from the jeers and slurs in Rome slung at her, her father arranged her marriage to a Florentine artist and she left Rome. While being a wife and mother, her artistic career started to take flight in Florence, where she gained the protection of the Granduke Cosimo de Medici. She became friends with Galileo, and she was favored by Michaelangelo Buonarroti the younger, (nephew of the great Michaelangelo).
But an artist's survival depends on patrons who commission works from them, and that meant sometimes that the artist had to move to new cities to find new commissions. Artemisia took her family with her as she moved from Florence to Rome, Venice, Naples and briefly England.
The fictitious take on Artemisia's life, while changing some of her conditions and certainly the make up of her family as a child, and her family after marriage, doesn't detract from showcasing a woman who lived for painting, a woman who didn't allow her past to turn her into a meek and apologetic woman, a woman curious about the world and a woman who sought to make those who look at her works think of the people in them, as opposed to looking at them as flat figures. In a way, I'd say she sought to challenge their opinions of familiar subjects.
Show More
rather than the more commonly idealized version of the female form by male painters of the time. Her life as a painter was almost destroyed when she stood a public and humiliating court trial after her father accused her painting teacher of raping her. She was subjected to a public gynecological examination and tortured with thumbscrews during her interrogation. The belief at the time, was that, if a person could tell the same story under torture, then it must be true. She bore the physical scars of the thumbscrews for the rest of her life on her hands.
To escape from the jeers and slurs in Rome slung at her, her father arranged her marriage to a Florentine artist and she left Rome. While being a wife and mother, her artistic career started to take flight in Florence, where she gained the protection of the Granduke Cosimo de Medici. She became friends with Galileo, and she was favored by Michaelangelo Buonarroti the younger, (nephew of the great Michaelangelo).
But an artist's survival depends on patrons who commission works from them, and that meant sometimes that the artist had to move to new cities to find new commissions. Artemisia took her family with her as she moved from Florence to Rome, Venice, Naples and briefly England.
The fictitious take on Artemisia's life, while changing some of her conditions and certainly the make up of her family as a child, and her family after marriage, doesn't detract from showcasing a woman who lived for painting, a woman who didn't allow her past to turn her into a meek and apologetic woman, a woman curious about the world and a woman who sought to make those who look at her works think of the people in them, as opposed to looking at them as flat figures. In a way, I'd say she sought to challenge their opinions of familiar subjects.
Show Less
LibraryThing member chewbecca
While this did awaken a new interest for Artemisia Gentileschi in me, I didn't really care for the book. The main character really lacked any emotion, which is ironic because she scolded her daughter for that very same thing. She was raped, yet she didn't seem to be affected by it at all other then
Show More
some bitterness that really wasn't all that bitter. It was an okay read, but I wouldn't recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member gilporat
Learning about painters has never been all that exciting to me, but this book changed that.
LibraryThing member isk8jewel
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I may, perhaps, be a bit biased since the author also happens to have been my high school English teacher, but I thought the writing was phenomenal. I felt like I entered the 17th century Italian world of Artemisia and didn't want the story to end. Vreeland
Show More
beautifully mixes fact and fiction in a story that left me wanting to learn all I can about the real Artemisia Gentileschi. Show Less
LibraryThing member chmessing
I think this is the third book I've read by Vreeland, and I would have to say it is probably my least favorite so far (other than The Forest Lover, which I couldn't even get into and never finished). Many interesting characters and descriptions of the cities in which the artist lives, the life of a
Show More
female painter, etc., but very few characters with redeeming qualities. Show Less
LibraryThing member countrylife
A snippet from the cover calls this story a “remarkable fictional portrait of Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the few female post-Renaissance painters to achieve fame during her own era”. She learned the art from her father, and was already quite skilled when, as a teen, she was raped by one of
I have no scholarship in the arts, nor the times portrayed, so cannot claim a learned opinion. But, to me, the characters, their situations and dialogue rang true. That Artemisia was able to surmount her obstacles to achieve what she did, and then in her own lifetime become famous for it, is remarkable, given the times. I enjoyed very much both the story and Susan Vreeland’s writing.
Show More
her father’s associates. Records remain of the subsequent trial. Many of her paintings have also survived. Ms. Vreeland has incorporated what is known of Artemisia’s life and work and expanded that into an interesting and well told tale, imagining the trauma of her rape and humiliation in court driving her choices of subject, and the passion with which she paints. I have no scholarship in the arts, nor the times portrayed, so cannot claim a learned opinion. But, to me, the characters, their situations and dialogue rang true. That Artemisia was able to surmount her obstacles to achieve what she did, and then in her own lifetime become famous for it, is remarkable, given the times. I enjoyed very much both the story and Susan Vreeland’s writing.
Show Less
LibraryThing member GJbean
love it and see her paintings too
Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653), the novel tells the story of Gentileschi's life and career in Renaissance Italy. Publicly humiliated and scorned in Rome after her participation as defendant in a rape trial in which the accused is her painting
Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653), the novel tells the story of Gentileschi's life and career in Renaissance Italy. Publicly humiliated and scorned in Rome after her participation as defendant in a rape trial in which the accused is her painting
Show More
teacher (and father's friend) Agostino Tassi, Artemisia accepts a hastily arranged marriage at the age of 18 to Pietro Stiatessi, an artist in Florence. Her marriage, while not a love match, proves at first to be affectionate, and the arrival of a daughter, Palmira, strengthens the bond with her husband. But rifts soon develop as Artemisia begins to have some success: she wins the patronage of the Medicis and is the first woman to be elected to the Accademia dell'Arte before her husband. Studio and home become the battlefields of Artemisia's life, and Vreeland chronicles 20 years of the painter's struggles while raising her daughter alone. Details and visuals abound in the book; readers who loved the painterly descriptions of Girl will be spellbound in particular by the scenes in which Artemisia is shown at work. While some threads in the story are frustratingly dropped and the narrative concludes before the end of Artemisia's life, the underlying themes of familial and artistic reconciliation are satisfyingly developed. Show Less
LibraryThing member marient
An interesting story of a woman painter, Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the few female post-Renaissance painters. After being raped by her painting teacher, she is humiliated in papal court as a loose woman and her testimony is dismissed. Befriended by Galileo, has Cosimo d'Medici 11 as a patron,
Show More
she still struggles thru life. Show Less
LibraryThing member JessicaC35
This is the amazing story of the only woman ever to be accepted into the Florence's prestigious Academia for art. Though she had to overcome many trials and hardships in her male dominated society, like being raped by her teacher, Artemsia endured. Her talent, unique perspective, and influence on
Show More
the world of art can be inferred from this novel. Students will learn history while reading a very entertaining story. Show Less
LibraryThing member TanyaTomato
Early 1600s in Italy. The story of Artemisia, a woman painter fighting to make a living in the male dominated profession. Also portrays how woman were treated horribly, and called whores even though they were raped. Artemisia is a wonderful character.
LibraryThing member indiefishsteak
When I started reading this book I had high hopes, since it's a book about a female painter in Rome. I was disappointed after the active beginning that most of it came across as either a textbook on art or on Italian history, neither of which I was expecting. However, as the characters developed
Show More
more and the timeflow became less irregular (or rather I became more accustomed to the irregularity), the real message of forgiveness and how our lives impact others came across. Overall it was worth the read but could have used an editor with a heavier hand. It also dealt heavily with rape and the mentality surrounding it: specifically that the victim should be ashamed instead of the perpetrator, a concept she brings to the forefront to question and reason against. Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
A readable novel about Artemisia Gentileschi, a female Baroque painter. In an era when most painters were men, Artemisia struggled to have her talent recognized. She was set back further by the scandal that enveloped her when she suffered a traumatic rape at the hands of one of her instructors and
Show More
the subsequent trial damaged her reputation. The consequences followed Artemisia for the rest of her life, as she struggled to earn respect for her work. While a good read overall, I didn't like the role of Artemisia's father throughout the novel. He failed to fully support Artemisia at the beginning of the novel and never fully appreciate the trauma she experienced. Artemisia, for her part, could have done more to distance herself from her father, but she maintains contact with him and never fully resolves their issues. Show Less
LibraryThing member akblanchard
As a young girl, Artemisia Gentileschi (c. 1593-1656) had learned from her father how to paint the dramatic Biblical and mythological scenes that were popular in the homes of the well-to-do during the post-Renaissance era. Despite this advantage, Artemisia nonetheless leads a difficult life. She
In an interview with the author in the back of the paperback edition of the book, Vreerland admitted that she streamlined Artemisia's life, eliminating her real-life "brothers, sons, and many of the people she for whom painted in order to reveal her relationships with her father, husband, and daughter more deeply." (p. 5). Vreeland also made the interesting decision to make her Artemisia convent-educated, literate and even able to quote the Bible at will. In real life, eighteen-year-old Artemisia testified at the rape trial that she was illiterate. Apparently, she did learn how to read and write as an adult. But much of Artemisia's art involved storytelling, and it would have been intriguing for Vreeland to examine how Artemisia's illiteracy as a young woman impacted the narrative quality of her paintings.
Nonetheless, despite its lack of historical accuracy, I did enjoy the Passion of Artemisia as a Baroque soap opera.
Show More
survives sexual abuse at the hands of her father's friend, a humiliating rape trial, and a marriage of convenience to a man who is jealous of her superior talents. All this happens in the first few chapters. As the story progresses, Artemisia evolves into a woman modern readers can understand: a single, working mother who strives to provide the best for her bratty daughter (the same basic set-up as Joan Crawford's soapy movie Mildred Pierce), while worrying about where her next commission will come from. In an interview with the author in the back of the paperback edition of the book, Vreerland admitted that she streamlined Artemisia's life, eliminating her real-life "brothers, sons, and many of the people she for whom painted in order to reveal her relationships with her father, husband, and daughter more deeply." (p. 5). Vreeland also made the interesting decision to make her Artemisia convent-educated, literate and even able to quote the Bible at will. In real life, eighteen-year-old Artemisia testified at the rape trial that she was illiterate. Apparently, she did learn how to read and write as an adult. But much of Artemisia's art involved storytelling, and it would have been intriguing for Vreeland to examine how Artemisia's illiteracy as a young woman impacted the narrative quality of her paintings.
Nonetheless, despite its lack of historical accuracy, I did enjoy the Passion of Artemisia as a Baroque soap opera.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lisahistory
Enjoyable read about the art/life choices for Artemesia Gentileschi, thoughtfully imagined.
LibraryThing member arthistorychick
The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Review:
As some of you know, I am an Art Historian in my “real” life and one of my favorite genres is historical fiction related to art and artists. Susan Vreeland is hands-down one of my favorite authors and when
Artemisia Gentileschi was a woman far, far ahead of her time and her place and despite the all of the significant odds against her, she was able to succeed in a time and place when women were little more than property. Artemisia was born to paint and from an early age her father trained her in order to enhance her own innate talent. Intent on being a painter for the rest of her life, Artemisia’s path was set until the moment she was raped by one her father’s colleagues. For more than a year, Artemisia endured a very public trial to determine her guilt or innocence. Yes, you read that correctly, her guilt or innocence was on trial, not her rapists. For all intents and purposes, the allegation alone was enough to taint Artemisia and her reputation for life. By all accounts, Artemisia didn’t allow the rape nor the trial to defeat her but to empower her and inform her art for the rest of her life.
Along with her trial, history also tells us that Artemisia did things that no woman before her ever had. First and foremost among her accomplishments was being the first woman admitted to the prestigious Florentine Academy. Following her admittance to the Academy, Artemisia spent her time and her life in the service of her patrons. From Rome to Florence to Venice to Naples and, to England, Artemisia worked for some Europe’s most important citizens including the Medici Family and the King of England. She tended toward large canvases featuring strong, determined and completely capable women as seen through the eyes of and interpreted by a woman who refused to be known as a victim but rather as a preeminent painter.
The Bottom Line: This is my second reading of Vreeland’s Passion of Artemisia and as with the first reading, I was simply blown away. Vreeland has a singular ability to bring history to life. Vreeland takes the historical information that remains and turns it into a living, breathing human being, an individual whose impact on the world of art is nothing short of significant. Reading Vreeland’s account of Artemisia’s life reminds me of the fact that nothing is impossible!! Artemisia survived an unspeakable horror and rather than allowing that event to define her life, she rose above all that was done to her and succeeded in a way that no woman before her ever had. If her accomplishments during her own lifetime weren’t enough – and they certainly were – Vreeland’s accounting in this modern age is finely crafted reminder of what genius looks like.
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Review:
As some of you know, I am an Art Historian in my “real” life and one of my favorite genres is historical fiction related to art and artists. Susan Vreeland is hands-down one of my favorite authors and when
Show More
she wrote The Passion of Artemisia, she found a fan for life in me. I hate being asked who my favorite artist is because I could never, ever choose just one but I do have a top twenty-ish list and Artemisia Gentileschi has been near the top of that list for many, many years. Artemisia Gentileschi was a woman far, far ahead of her time and her place and despite the all of the significant odds against her, she was able to succeed in a time and place when women were little more than property. Artemisia was born to paint and from an early age her father trained her in order to enhance her own innate talent. Intent on being a painter for the rest of her life, Artemisia’s path was set until the moment she was raped by one her father’s colleagues. For more than a year, Artemisia endured a very public trial to determine her guilt or innocence. Yes, you read that correctly, her guilt or innocence was on trial, not her rapists. For all intents and purposes, the allegation alone was enough to taint Artemisia and her reputation for life. By all accounts, Artemisia didn’t allow the rape nor the trial to defeat her but to empower her and inform her art for the rest of her life.
Along with her trial, history also tells us that Artemisia did things that no woman before her ever had. First and foremost among her accomplishments was being the first woman admitted to the prestigious Florentine Academy. Following her admittance to the Academy, Artemisia spent her time and her life in the service of her patrons. From Rome to Florence to Venice to Naples and, to England, Artemisia worked for some Europe’s most important citizens including the Medici Family and the King of England. She tended toward large canvases featuring strong, determined and completely capable women as seen through the eyes of and interpreted by a woman who refused to be known as a victim but rather as a preeminent painter.
The Bottom Line: This is my second reading of Vreeland’s Passion of Artemisia and as with the first reading, I was simply blown away. Vreeland has a singular ability to bring history to life. Vreeland takes the historical information that remains and turns it into a living, breathing human being, an individual whose impact on the world of art is nothing short of significant. Reading Vreeland’s account of Artemisia’s life reminds me of the fact that nothing is impossible!! Artemisia survived an unspeakable horror and rather than allowing that event to define her life, she rose above all that was done to her and succeeded in a way that no woman before her ever had. If her accomplishments during her own lifetime weren’t enough – and they certainly were – Vreeland’s accounting in this modern age is finely crafted reminder of what genius looks like.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rosetyper9
I found this portrayal of a an artist's life fascinating. It held me by the descriptive nature of the author. As you may know Artemisia was a painter and sometimes it can be difficult to describe a canvas of colors and brush strokes to a reader but Vreeland did it very well.
I am glad I read this
I am glad I read this
Show More
book and I will look for more historical fiction by Susan Vreeland in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
This is a great story, although some of our book-club members felt the writing wasn't quite up to par.
This is a fictionalized biography of Artemisia Genteleschi, the first woman to be admitted to the Academia del Arte in Florence - a 17th-century artist who specialized in portraits of strong women
This is a fictionalized biography of Artemisia Genteleschi, the first woman to be admitted to the Academia del Arte in Florence - a 17th-century artist who specialized in portraits of strong women
Show More
from the Bible or mythology. It offers a fascinating glimpse of Italy at the time. It is in turns passionate, tender, disturbing, and frustrating; on a par with [Girl with a Pearl Earring]. Show Less
LibraryThing member catzkc
I think this may be more appreciated by someone who has more interest in the process of art and painting. I was more interested in the life and times of Artemisia, and there wasn't as much of that to this story as I would have liked. Also, the author has made quite a few major changes to historical
Show More
fact regarding her life, while not as much as some popular historical fiction authors, more than I care for personally. I almost gave this 2 stars, except for a couple of things. One was the detailed account of the rape trial. Very troubling to listen too (audiobook), but that was the way things were for women back then. Second were the interactions between Artemisia and Galileo, which appears to be well documented fact. Show Less
LibraryThing member bcrowl399
I love this book. I'm so glad I discovered Artemisia. I'm captivated by her art and now I understand her passion. This book was so well written and the story was compelling. I want to read more about Artemisia and get some books of her artwork.
LibraryThing member siri51
Brutal beginning, intriguing life story, interesting friendship with Galileo, amazing art!
LibraryThing member BookAddict
Susan Vreeland is fabulous. She is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she describes scenes with all the beauty and range of a vast colour pallet.
LibraryThing member Eavans
I thought this was a good biographical novel on the artist and I was particularly impressed with the author's characterization of Artemisia. But did it blow me away? Not really. Did it challenge me? Nope. Will I remember it for years to come. Don't think so. It was average, though not in a bad way.
Show More
Just an average way. I'd still recommend. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
San Diego Book Award (Winner — 2002)
ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound (Humanities — 2004)
Language
Original publication date
2001-11-08
Physical description
352 p.; 4.58 inches
ISBN
0670894494 / 9780670894499