Connecting with culture again: Artemisia at The National Gallery, London
Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting , 1638-39 Artemisia Gentileschi
Before suffragettes, before girl power and way before #MeToo, there was Artemisia, a woman who triumphed over tyranny and achieved global fame in the male-dominated world of Baroque art. The National Gallery’s Artemisia exhibition was due to open in April but lay unseen for months, and now art-starved fans (like myself) are flocking-at-a-safe-distance to see this first-ever exhibition of the artist’s work and learn more about her life. One-way systems, timed tickets and travelling across London during a pandemic means the spontaneity of popping into an exhibition has gone for the time being, but Artemisia is an instant reminder of why art is good for the soul (and galleries are still open despite the new tier two restrictions). Her extraordinary story is well documented. The daughter of an Italian artist, Artemisia Gentileschi was raped by her father’s friend Agostino Tassi, endured humiliation and trauma but eventually took the perpetrator to court in Rome and won the case. After which she was married off quickly and threw herself into painting for rich patrons like the Medici’s. Her triumphant works are now on show at the National Gallery.
Painted when she was just 17 at home in Rome taught by her father. Susanna and the Elders , 1610 , Artemisia Gentileschi
Back then, being an artist and competing with the likes of Caravaggio was a tough business. And hard physical work, as one of several self-portraits depicts, Artemisia stretches with arms smeared in paint and a world-weary look. There must have been times, when having borne five children (only one survived) she felt like hanging up her paintbrush but this fabulous exhibition does not reveal a woman who shied away from a challenge. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer explosion of rich colour, anguished bodies and bare flesh. Seeing her striking compositions up close, you really can appreciate the skill and determination Artemisia possessed. All her artwork focussed on the defiant woman she admired, such as, Judith, Cleopatra and Lucretia. Who really knows whether her most famous painting Judith Beheading Holofernes, a grisly biblical tableau was her revenge on men (as is frequently argued ) but you can hazard a guess…
Judith beheading Holofernes, 1613-14 Artemisia Gentileschi
The lengthy trial and chilling court transcript reveal a passionate young woman who stands firm as she poignantly cries, “It is true, it is true , it is true .” If there’s one exhibition powerful enough to tempt you back into central London, this is it. And there’s a BBC4 programme on Artemisia’s life with Michael Palin on Monday 26 October but come on Sofia, Kathryn or Jane (Campion), surely it’s time for a film.
Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria , Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia is on until Jan 24 2021 at the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Discussion (8 Comments)
Oh thank you. Will definitely order the Artemisia book and take it from there…
maudie says:
Oh thank you! Something completely non-Covid to grab my attention. I shall order the book (thanks Boadiciea) and get myself to the exhibition pdq.
Maria says:
What a fabulous exhibition! I’m in Sydney and won’t be getting to London any time soon so thank you very much for writing about it and for including some biographical information about the artist. Frances at materfamilias writes first introduced me to Artemisia’s work and I’ve been fascinated ever since. I particularly admire the strength of feeling and dedication to her art that Artemisia captured in her self-portrait.
MaureenC says:
You have no idea how painful it is not being able to visit the Artemisia exhibition. She was barely touched upon when I did History of Art at university back in the dark ages so I was really looking forward to seeing it in April en route to a workshop or audition. That seems like another world. Devon has been a great place to live for the last thirty years (and particularly the last eight months) but I grew up a city girl and I’ve always been able to leaven life in the beautiful South West with regular work visits to London, which always involve a gallery visit. In the meantime I’ll make do with the methadone of a visit to the NG website and remind myself that I’ll see the self portrait as St Catherine at some point in the future as the NG acquired it a couple of years ago. And I’ve promised my self a trip one day to see the magnificent Judith up close in Naples!
JulieS says:
I was lucky enough to see the self-portrait of the Allegory of Painting at the Royal Academy in an exhibition in 2018 of paintings from the collection of Charles 1. It was wonderful, and it’s so annoying that because of her sex she’s not grouped with similar artists of the period who are recognised as “old masters”. However there does seem to be a movement now for her to get the recognition she deserves. For those who are interested. the RA still has a short video about her on its website
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/charles-i-video-artemisia-gentileschiI’d love to be able to see this exhibition. No trips to London for me for the foreseeable future. But I think I will console myself with that book suggested by Boadicea.
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
For a fictionalised version of her life try The Passion of Artemesia by the late Susan Vreeland.
This author always did detailed research on her subjects – she loved art almost as much as she loved writing about it – and it’s well reflected in her other books too: Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Luncheon of the Boating Party, Life Studies, Clara and Mr Tiffany. They’re not meant to be academic timed, just enjoyable reads.