Art Of The Day Weekly

Artemisia, the Frida Kahlo of the XVIIth century

ROME – Few women painters in the past have reached the reknown of their male counterparts. Louise Moillon, Clara Peeters (currently presented at the Prado), Rosalba Carriera, Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun are some of them, at different degrees. In reaction to a successful movie and a very adventurous life, Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1652) has recently confirmed her position as a top star in the club of the “happy few”. She has been attributed the role of a feminist before her time, having had her rapist, painter Agostino Tassi, condemned in spite of the sexism of the court). She put her talent at the service of her father Orazio. But early on she followed a very independent path, travelling often, working in Rome, her native town, as well as in Florence and Naples, where she died. She developed a very personal version of Caravaggio style painting, often focused on heroines from the Antiquity. The exhibition follows her throughout these three capitals, where she produced the greater part of her work. Her art is vigorous, full of chiari-oscuri and glowing colours, before she even turned 40. She is presented with a few of the stars of her time, such as Allori, Vouet, Ribera and that painter whose name is a poem in itself, Antiveduto Grammatica (approximately “Grammar Preview”), who was the master of Caravaggio for a short period.
• Artemisia at Palazzo Braschi, 30 November 2016 to 7 May 2017.