Artemisia Gentileschi: The Woman Who Took on The Pope

By Greta Seeley, Second Year History and Spanish

Born in Italy in the late 16th century to a well-established painter, Orazio Gentileschi, Artemisia was a remarkable artist who changed the lives of many women through her incredible talent but also her power to rise to the top of her field in a male-dominated world. Artemisia used her work to portray her troubled past and express strong emotions of empowerment and resilience. Her significance lies not only in her artistic prowess but in her role as a trailblazing female artist who defied the odds.

Her work provides the modern-day individual with great insight into how she was able to challenge the patriarchy, her use of colour and technique was instrumental to the Baroque movement but also in representing the evil of man during this time period. Her power to tell her story through her paintings and represent herself through each individual story is key to her everlasting cultural significance.

Rather than being a victim of rape and an unfair trial, which is the central tenet of many pieces written on her today, Gentileschi is better understood as a survivor and an agent of her own destiny. Embodied in her art is all her pain and trauma, a reflection of the never ending battle of being a woman in male-dominated field.

She refused to allow her tortured past to demoralise her, instead she was able to channel it into her art. Art in which we are able to see so much beauty in the pain she expresses with her paintbrush.

Self-portrait as the Allegory of Painting (La Pittura) 1632-39

The central question becomes why did so few women before her not showcase their emotions in such a fearless manner? What made her so remarkable was that she had no fear, the Pope stood by her rapist during the trial because he showed the potential of becoming an important artist, demonstrating the power one man could have over a woman during this period. In turn, making her art ever more impactful given that she did not shy away from arguably one of the most powerful and influential men of all, as well as showcasing her bravery.

Her timeless impact is due in part to the prevalence of her struggles in modern-day society, with several famous figures in the modern day being protected from their crimes because of their influence. However, Gentileschi’s work not only represents an artistic masterpiece, but its message is part of a long line of inspirational women refusing to bow down to the patriarchal powers of the time.

The piece Susanna and the Elders is my personal favourite, the raw beauty of the message coupled with her incredible skill, isn’t like many other paintings of its time. One does not see the story she tells but rather a deflection. Gentileschi depicts the vulgar behaviour of older men watching a young beautiful girl at her most vulnerable state bathing in a lake. Traditionally, these depictions are represented in art very differently. Normally, the artist would have painted a man hiding behind bushes or trees, whilst giving the impression he is admiring their beauty. However, because of her own rape she feels a need to show their true intentions and reflect how these events are not hidden, but in fact happen in plain sight. 

Artemisia’s importance in history cannot go unnoticed, her role and technical influence on her male peers is represented in their own work and through her consideration as part of the Baroque canon. Her distinctive style sets her apart from other Baroque painters, she delivers a sense of drama and elicits an emotionally charged reaction from the audience through intricate artistic skills allowing us to view the pain and violence her work creates, such as Judith Slaying Holoforness in which Judith is a representation of herself and her injustices during her rape and trial. Since being rediscovered in the Royal Collection, her work has been subject to a revaluation and has reminded us why we must continue to celebrate the various contributions of the works of women throughout history.

Artemisia’s legacy serves as a powerful testament to overcoming gender-based obstacles and the enduring power of using art as a medium to progress the feminist movement. This is similarly evidenced in the modern day, through Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, which like Gentileschi’s work, employs a source of entertainment to popularise feminist discourse within wider cultural discussions.  

Her legacy will forever be a force in challenging gender and societal norms and will continue to resonate with contemporary women still fighting gender discrimination. As we think about Artemisia, we honour not just an artist but an inspirational woman who paved the way for generations of women to speak out and fight for themselves, their daughters, aunts, mothers, sisters and friends.