Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter of the 17th century. She was one of the first female artists to achieve recognition in the male-dominated world of art. Artemisia was born in Rome in 1593 and was the daughter of a well-known painter. She painted many works that depicted powerful women from classical mythology and biblical stories. Her works were notable for their dramatic composition, vivid colors, and the depiction of women as strong and assertive characters. At the age of 17, she was sexually assaulted by a fellow artist. She was put through a brutal and public trial. Despite this trauma, she continued to paint and create works that were highly regarded by her contemporaries. Artemisia’s work was influential in the development of Baroque art. She was one of the first artists to use Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro style in her paintings. Today, she is considered a pioneer of feminist art.