Artemisia

One of the best biographies I have read for years. Exquisitely written, meticulously researched, it makes you feel as if you were there. Artemisia emerges as a compelling figure, as ambitious as she was talented, with the drive and determination to survive a public scandal as a seventeen-year old which should have destroyed her. This made all the more remarkable her dazzling success as THE first great female painter of the Renaissance. Talk about defying the odds. This is an uplifting story in so many ways but it does not set out to be not does it feel worthy in its intent or feel. It simply draws you in.

After seeing the exhibition of Artemisia in London, I decided I want to know about this amazing female artist who lived at an era in which existing as a female artist was very very difficult and she managed it. I looked at the samples of various books written on Artemisia and decided on this one. I think I made the right decision. It was a great book. The writer did lots of research, travels, combing the archives etc and based as much of the story as possible on facts rather than her gut feeling. Sometimes I read a historical novel and heroine very much sounds like a modern woman. This writer pretty much avoided this kind of lousy approach. She didn't disappoint. Artemisia has a fascinating life and this book tells her story based on facts but in an easy to read fictional way.

Love this story. Arrived promptly and well packaged.

The life of Artemisia Gentileschi told in a novel. The book is brilliantly translated from the French, since the English flows beautifully and elegantly throughout. The conveying of competitive and complex atmosphere of early 17th century Italy – and, at the end of the book, England – is very well done; clearly a huge amount of research has gone into this work, though the learning lies lightly; the book includes eight full-colour plates of Artemisia’s remarkable work. We are not spared details of the rape of Artemisia, many of them taken from transcripts of the original court proceedings, and the language of some of the protagonists is sometimes very explicit. The book is well written, though, and the story gripping – even to one with a limited interest in or knowledge of fine art. The ultimate proof of this is that one ends up wanting to know more, and looking forward to the opportunity of seeing such work of the Gentileschis – father and daughter – as are accessible.

Extremely well-researched account, in fiction form but based on evidence - documents that have been well-preserved. Highly recommended, particularly if you are a lover of art.

What a great story. A remarkable woman who struggled in a male dominated era.However her genius came 😊 in the end.Delivered quickly and in condition as stated by seller.Many thanks.

Well written and fascinating life story

Recommended the book to a lot of people bought it for my friend