Artemisia Gentileschi, daughter of well-known Roman artist, Orazio Gentileschi (1563 - 1639), was one of the first women artists to achieve recognition in the male-dominated world of post-Renaissance art. She was the first woman to paint major historical and religious artwork, whereas women of her era were usually constrained to less lofty genre painting. Born in Rome in 1593, she received her early tuition from her father, but after being refused admission to art academies, she continued her training under a friend of her father, Agostino Tassi.
In 1612, her father brought suit against Tassi charging him with raping Artemisia and there followed a seven month, highly publicised trial. This event makes up the central theme of a controversial French film, "Artemisia", directed by Agnes Merlet and released in 1998.
ARTEMISIA GENTILESCHI
