When I first saw a photograph of this work of art several years back it made an immediate impact with its intensity, and I was inspired to find out more about the artist, Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653?). Unusually, for a women of the time, but not unheard of, Artemisia, became a professional painter in early 17th century Rome. Her father, Orazio (1563-1639), was a history painter there in the late 16th century through to the 1630's, and at some point around 1610 he taught his daughter to paint. Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting was produced in the late 1630's. A 2001 exhibition catalogue I own, Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi, give me an overview of their work and from that I think that Artemisia was the more original of the two.
What I love about this painting (click on the image to enlarge) is the intensity of expression of Artemisia's face and the usual pose of the artist (unusual to me that is!); the viewer is looking down from slightly above, and she has placed us not far removed from the action. All-in-all its quite intimate and minimalist. From my reading of the catalogue and from other readings in art history I think she may have done this for herself, or as a uncommissioned piece to show prospective clients as part of a portfolio (in the catalogue there is a portrait of a man by Artemisia and that is much more formal and polished).
In the last half century or so since she was rediscovered much has been written about Artemisia, including a 1947 novel, however, if you want to read a little more about this very interesting artist a number of books have been written; for those who can't get to their library or bookshop there is a Wikipedia article about her.
The painting is in the collection of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at Hampton Court Palace, to whom the copyright belongs. And the exhibition catalogue for those of you who may want to find it: Christiansen, Keith & Judith W. Mann (2001). Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 1 58839 006 3/1 58839 007 1.
Image: © Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
What I love about this painting (click on the image to enlarge) is the intensity of expression of Artemisia's face and the usual pose of the artist (unusual to me that is!); the viewer is looking down from slightly above, and she has placed us not far removed from the action. All-in-all its quite intimate and minimalist. From my reading of the catalogue and from other readings in art history I think she may have done this for herself, or as a uncommissioned piece to show prospective clients as part of a portfolio (in the catalogue there is a portrait of a man by Artemisia and that is much more formal and polished).In the last half century or so since she was rediscovered much has been written about Artemisia, including a 1947 novel, however, if you want to read a little more about this very interesting artist a number of books have been written; for those who can't get to their library or bookshop there is a Wikipedia article about her.
The painting is in the collection of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at Hampton Court Palace, to whom the copyright belongs. And the exhibition catalogue for those of you who may want to find it: Christiansen, Keith & Judith W. Mann (2001). Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 1 58839 006 3/1 58839 007 1.
Image: © Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
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