In this work of historical fiction, Susan Vreeland paints a vibrant portrait (pun intended) of the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, an actual 17th-century woman painter in Italy. Raped by her father’s friend Agostino Tassi, who is also her painting tutor, Artemisia is humiliated and her reputation in ruins when Tassi is all but exonerated in the crime. To escape Rome and its cruelty, she arranges to marry Pietro Stiattesi, a Florentine painter. In Florence, Artemisia realizes success in her art, painting biblical figures from a uniquely feminine perspective, and becomes the first woman accepted into Florence’s Accademia dell’Arte. However, from her jealous husband Pietro, who has not found equal success in his art, she earns only resentment.

This was a relatively quick read which inspired me to learn more about Artemisia and her contemporaries, and I look forward to trying more of Vreeland’s historical works.

This novel started out very strong, with a strong, independent female voice in a time where these voices were not heard. Unfortunately it couldn’t hold up the interest for the long term and became a slightly tedious rendition of this and that, small successes and small failures, not especiallly distinguished in any way.

It was an OK story, but nothing special, I guess.

I was given this book by a friend because I love history and historical fiction.

It is about a woman who is a daughter of a famous painter. The book starts at the conclusion of her humiliating rape case by a friend of her father's. After the trial, a marriage is arranged in she starts her life over in Florence. She has a child and becomes highly successful, being the first woman accepted into the Florence academy. Due to a lackluster marriage, she leaves Pietro. She spends the rest of her life uprooting her daughter and following commissions all over Italy. She also has to learn how to forgive the wrong doings of her father.

This book is beautifully written. Her details really bring Italy and the time period alive. And if you have been to Italy you can remember all the places she describes so elegantly.

After reading this you have to look up all her paintings :)

This book really brings what I’m learning in my art history class alive.

Eh.