The Passion of Artemisia: A Novel

The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland Source: Purchase My Rating: 5/5 stars My Review: As some of you know, I am an Art Historian in my “real” life and one of my favorite genres is historical fiction related to art and artists. Susan Vreeland is hands-down one of my favorite authors and when she wrote The Passion of Artemisia, she found a fan for life in me. I hate being asked who my favorite artist is because I could never, ever choose just one but I do have a top twenty-ish list and Artemisia Gentileschi has been near the top of that list for many, many years. Artemisia Gentileschi was a woman far, far ahead of her time and her place and despite the all of the significant odds against her, she was able to succeed in a time and place when women were little more than property. Artemisia was born to paint and from an early age her father trained her in order to enhance her own innate talent. Intent on being a painter for the rest of her life, Artemisia’s path was set until the moment she was raped by one her father’s colleagues. For more than a year, Artemisia endured a very public trial to determine her guilt or innocence. Yes, you read that correctly, her guilt or innocence was on trial, not her rapists. For all intents and purposes, the allegation alone was enough to taint Artemisia and her reputation for life. By all accounts, Artemisia didn’t allow the rape nor the trial to defeat her but to empower her and inform her art for the rest of her life. Along with her trial, history also tells us that Artemisia did things that no woman before her ever had. First and foremost among her accomplishments was being the first woman admitted to the prestigious Florentine Academy. Following her admittance to the Academy, Artemisia spent her time and her life in the service of her patrons. From Rome to Florence to Venice to Naples and, to England, Artemisia worked for some Europe’s most important citizens including the Medici Family and the King of England. She tended toward large canvases featuring strong, determined and completely capable women as seen through the eyes of and interpreted by a woman who refused to be known as a victim but rather as a preeminent painter. The Bottom Line: This is my second reading of Vreeland’s Passion of Artemisia and as with the first reading, I was simply blown away. Vreeland has a singular ability to bring history to life. Vreeland takes the historical information that remains and turns it into a living, breathing human being, an individual whose impact on the world of art is nothing short of significant. Reading Vreeland’s account of Artemisia’s life reminds me of the fact that nothing is impossible!! Artemisia survived an unspeakable horror and rather than allowing that event to define her life, she rose above all that was done to her and succeeded in a way that no woman before her ever had. If her accomplishments during her own lifetime weren’t enough – and they certainly were – Vreeland’s accounting in this modern age is finely crafted reminder of what genius looks like.

I enjoyed the author's first novel and was interested in the artist Artemisia Gentileschi, so this seemed like a natural. I did enjoy the book but was distracted by how much the action deviated from what I actually knew about the artist's life. I think I might have enjoyed it more if it had been pure fiction instead of purportin to be about Artemisia. That said, the novel itself is well written and enjoyable, delving into the psyche of the emotionally scarred artist as she explores artistic themes and tries to deal with the men in her life. Not a stunner but perhaps an entertaining introduction to a fascinating artist.

This is one of my favorite books. A true story about Artemesia Gentileschi, an amazing young Italian artist whose work was recognized during her lifetime in the highest circles. It is about the role of women, about art, about Italy, about history, and religion's impact on life at that time. Raped by her art teacher, examined physically by the Papal court and considered "used goods", she was sent to another town and married off by her father to an older man. I found my first copy in a second-hand book store and now I keep ordering new ones to give away. My book club all agreed it is the best book we have ever read and it sparked the best and longest conversation we've had. If you Google her name you will see examples of her amazing paintings.

I really loved this book. It was a choice in my book club. I had started reading it when I attended a lecture at my library about 5 female Italian artists from the 1500s and the 1600s. Artemisia was one of the 5 artists. That lecture added to my interest in Artemisia. I loved the way she was portrayed in the book. I enjoyed all the characters in the book. I liked how the history and mores of the time was represented. I really enjoyed her relationship with Galileo. Actually, there was nothing about the book that I didn’t like. I would absolutely recommend it. It’s based on the true history of these times and it’s very believable.

if you start a book with your main character being tortured by the Inquisition, there's not much to build to. The rest of the book was focused on how tough it was for a man to get ahead in the art world of the Renaissance, so our girl was stressing on how much harder it was for her. Then her daughter makes a fabulous marriage match so she'll never have to depend on her painting to put food on the table like her mother did and Artemisia makes out like the daughter is on her way to the Inquisition. Then there's a bit with her dad who was the reason she was tortured by the Inquisition and I couldn't believe any of it would actually happen. Completely unsatisfying for me.

This is the most fascinating story about a 16th century artist who is a woman and is the first one to attend the Academy which previously only men were ever allowed in. She is truly the first woman to fight for equality between the men and women. We are reading this for our book club so I can't wait to hear how everyone else feels about. I would definitely recommend this, it is very well written and you almost feel you are right there during those times and feeling the frustrations that Artemisia endured.

Susan Vreeland researches her subject meticulously, and writes with an empathy for each that allows the reader to understand him/her almost immediately. We have read all of her books about artists and enjoyed each emmensely. That said, both my wife and I love Artemisia and her magnificent paintings. Susan portrays her fully - skills, sensitivities, and flaws - using first person point of view to convey Artemisia’s strength and character. Having seen some of her work, we felt that Artemisia had become a close friend who was sharing her feelings with us. We love her just as we love Susan Vreeland and her wonderful talent.

Susan Vreeland has the ability to capture a time & place through an artist's eye as she has done in her other books,"The Forest Lover"& "Luncheon of the Boating Party"(equally enjoyable). "The Passion of Artemisia" gives a picture of 17th century Italy : the life of a woman painter (very unusual for that time ) who painted women realistically rather than an idealised version.Her father was a painter & taught her from an early age.She became the first woman admitted to the prestigious "Accademie" in Florence.You also learn the mores of the time , the power of the church, & the necessity of obtaining the patronage of a nobleman for an artist to be successful. I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into the life of Artemesia & recommend to anyone with an interest in art, the time period or historical fiction.

Super like to this book

Um bom livro, história bem interessante, bem escrito. Esperava umpouco mais sobre o mundo íntimo da personagem principal e sobre seus relacionamentos afeitvos.

This was an amazing read. The story of Artemisia Gentileschi a painter who works in Rome and Florence at the time of the Medici and Galileo.... the first female artist to be part of the Florentine Academy.

Sin duda alguna de los mejores libros que he leído. Excelente documentación y bellamente escrito ampliamente recomendable para los amantes de la novela histórica

Book arrived one day early in excellent condition.