The Passion of Artemisia: A Novel

Until I read this book, I had never heard of Artemisia Gentileschi. I picked it up because, flipping through it, Susan Vreeland's style seemed similar to Tracy Chevalier's (Girl With A Pearl Earring - and other novels), whose books I devoured, as I did The Passion of Artemisia. Her story is riveting, from the strength of her convictions and spirit in the rape trial, through her trials with her father and then Pierantonio, her subsequent noteriety and patronage of the Medici family, and how she learned from her father, then made his style her own - as well as her interpretations of traditional themes. I searched out some of her paintings on Google and was so completely blown away I printed 4 of them and pinned them to my bulletin board at work. I've already ordered a framed print of two of her Judith works. I'm now reading Artemisia by Alexandra LaPierre, who did exhaustive research in Italy and through historical documents to piece together the details of her life. As good as Susanna Vreeland's book is (and it's very good), it's a 5th grade history book compared to Artemisa, which is riveting in its details and their researched truths. But that's a different review!If you want an introduction to an amazing woman, born before her time, The Passion of Artemesia is a good place to begin.

I have never heard of Artemisia before and now that I have read this book, I am very intrigued by this historical woman artist! This book will captivate you from the first page to the last. It is a keeper as well!Artemisia stands on trial in Rome after she accuses a man of raping her. It turns out that it was her reputation and life that was ruined ~~ so her father, instead of defending her, married her off to a painter from Florence and sent her home with him. And that is just the beginning of the story.With flair and careful descriptions, Vreeland writes of a woman struggling to find her calling as an artist, wife, daughter and mother. Throughout Artemisia's life, she is always struggling internally with her father's betrayal and it shows in her painting and relationship with her daughter. It shows in her relationships with men and other people, as well as with her father. The descriptions Vreeland crafted in this book draws you in ~~ you can't help but look at colors differently now. She does a wonderful job of painting a world of words for the reader ~~ and gives the reader a new appreciation of life and art and love. This is a book that no one should ever ignore ~~ it speaks so vividly to the spirit. And you can relate so well with Artemisia ~~ she is everywoman struggling against the mores of society, trying to carve her own niche in life.This is a keeper.7-31-03

I'm not sure I would say this book is full of passion, but certainly the writer has concerned herself with Artemisia's passion for art, and in that, the descriptions and feelings are endless and beautiful. The story is a good one, it flows beautifully into a reality you can absorb, and it is at times both intense and painfully shallow. Artemisia is not just an artist, she is a woman, a mother, a daughter, a person with deep insights and dark emotions. I think the author does a superb job of keeping the reader spellbound with this easy flowing story, and of joining both reader and characters together in an intricately weaved and artfully told environment. I could read it again, it's the kind of book you feel as though you could always learn something new from. There were parts I thought I should stop and write down, sentences and thoughts so beautifully phrased I wanted to preserve them. But I had borrowed the book, and an anxious next-reader was waiting. Read this book. It's excellent.

When I attended the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, my favorite times where spent exploring the Detroit Institute of Arts. One semester I took a class on Women Artists and I clearly remember how captivated I was by the story of Artemesia Gentileschi. She was such a strong and heroic woman and immensely talent artist. She was so far ahead of her time. I was forever moved when I visited the DIA and saw her masterpiece "Judith and Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes". Now, almost twenty years later, I discover this book, which describes not just Artemesia's life, but tells me exactly what went into one of my favorite masterpieces! Susan Vreeland has done an incredible job of painting a picture of another age. Her words depict the life of this incredible woman artist in the same way that Artemsia captured essence the subjects of her artwork.

As the best-selling author of GIRL IN HYACINTH BLUE, Susan Vreeland once again stuns readers with a lyrical depiction of a woman destined to follow her artistic dreams. As an early seventeenth century artist under the tutelage of her artist father, Orazio Gentileschi, Artemisia experiences tremendous humiliation as she faces her rapist in papal court. Though Agostino Tassi, a colleague of Orazio?s, had raped Artemisia, she is forced to endure a degrading public examination to prove her accusations. With her ruined reputation, Artemisia leaves Rome to wed Pietro Stiattesi and move to Florence. Together, Pietro and Artemisia indulge in the art of painting, but unfortunately for Pietro, it is Artemisia who gets the most recognition, first with a commission from the nephew of the famous Michelangelo, and later from Cosimo de Medici. Though Artemisia and Pietro have a daughter, Palmira, Pietro becomes resentful when Artemisia gains admission to the Accademia dell? Arte del Disegno before he does. The all-encompassing descriptive prose leads the reader back into seventeenth century Italy, following Artemisia and her daughter as they journey to Genoa, Venice, and come full circle back to Rome. With the incredible artistic backdrop of the timeless treasures of these cities, the author often makes a religious connection to the magnificent works depicted there. And for anyone who ever wanted an eyewitness view into an artist?s soul, this novel is the perfect venue. Even a non-artist can begin to understand the depth of emotion and lifetime experiences that go into an artist?s creativity. Most enduring though, is Artemisia?s triumph in a time when women were treated in a most inferior manner.