I’m reading a book ‘The Passion of Artemisia’ by Susan Vreeland. My passion for and interest in certain artists come and go from time to time. Currently it’s Artemisia Gentileschi.
It’s really an inspiring life and impressive body of work. I’ve been reading a lot about her. It’s also very relevant in women’s struggles in our society, represented by a rather mawkish #MeToo campaign.
Also, there’s a ridiculous discussion going on in art world whether “Women can’t paint well” is true or not.
From some quarters among feminism leaders, we often hear that there’re very few female painters as well known as male painters. Well, on the surface of it, that seems true. But, if one makes an effort to study deeply into history of art, there is an amazing number of women painters out there.
Most famous one is Artemisia.
I love her paintings. The depth, emotion and technical excellence are no match for her contemporaries. It might sound a bit blasphemous, but I prefer her ‘Judith Beheading Holofernes’ to Caravaggio’s.
This superb documentary is well produced, very thoughtful description of her life, using docudrama format. It’s a celebration of this woman painter’s steely will to determine her own destiny against all odds. Feminists or not, everyone should watch this.
