Frequently Asked Questions
Actually, most of these questions have been asked quite infrequently, and in fact, some have never been asked at all. If you were contemplating asking me a question, then these answers may save you the bother of emailing me and save me the bother of replying.
- Who is the author of this website?
- What are your art history qualifications?
- Where did you get your information from?
- How did you get interested in Artemisia Gentileschi?
- Where can I buy the books that you mentioned?
- Where can I read the transcript of Artemisia's rape case against Tassi?
- Can you give me more information to help me with my assignment?
- Where can I get posters of her paintings?
- Do you know if there are any exhibits of her paintings touring at present?
- I saw a painting of Danae by Artemisia at the St. Louis Art Museum. Why it is not on your website?
- What is your opinion of the movie "Artemisia"?
- Have you read "Passion of Artemisia"?
- Can I download the images from your website?
- How do I link to this website?
- Who is the author of this website?
I am Larry Brash, from Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
- What are your art history qualifications?
I have no qualifications as an art historian. I am a keen, self-taught amateur.
I am, however, a psychiatrist with experience in treating people who have been hurt by traumatic events, including sexual assault.
I have extensive experience in designing websites.
- Where did you get your information from?
Mostly from Mary D. Garrard's and R. Ward Bissell's books cited below.
- How did you get interested in Artemisia Gentileschi?
I had always had a passing interest in art, but little real knowledge. To remedy this, in the early 1990s, I subscribed to a series of art magazines. I was partricularly impressed by the work of Caravaggio with his dramatic scenes and lighting, and his almost photographic painting style. The magazine also mentioned the followers of Caravaggio, the Caravaggisti, including Ozario Gentileschi and his daughter Artemisia.
As my interest in Art, particularly Baroque Art, grew I came across more references to Artemisia and the rape trial. However, it was not until I purchased Mary D. Garrard's "Artemisia Gentileschi" (Rizzoli Art Series, 1993) that I realised Artemisia's skill as an artist and the trauma of the rape and court case. This is where I discovered her dramatic and gory Judith and Holofernes paintings.
Later, I purchased Mary D. Garrard's definitive work, "Artemisia Gentileschi - The Image of The Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art." (Princeton University Press, 1989). This gave me even greater insight into Artemisia's life and art, and in particular the interaction between the two.
Inspired by this, I spent several weekends in 1999 creating this website with the aim of bringing her life and art together online.
In March 2005, I bought R. Ward Bissell's detailed and thorough book on Artemisia, and Alexandra Lapierre's painstakingly researched historical novel.
- Where can I buy the books that you mentioned above?
All are available from amazon.com.
Garrard, Mary D. 1989. Artemisia Gentileschi - The Image of The Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art. Princeton University
Press.
Alexandra Lapierre, 1998 (translated by Liz Heron, 2000), Artemisia - a novel, Grove Press, New York.
Bissell, R. Ward, 1999. Artemisia Gentileschi and the Authority of Art. The Pennsylvania State University Press.
Garrard, Mary D. 2001. Artemisia Gentileschi around 1622: The Shaping and Reshaping of an Artistic Identity. Discovery Arts Series, University of California Press.
- Where can I read the transcript of Artemisia's rape case against Tassi?
As far as I know, a transcript is not available on the Internet. Garrard's original 1989 book contains the full transcript (in English).
- Can you give me more information to help me with my school/college assignment?
No, if it is not on the website, do not ask me. Obtain a copy of Mary Garrard's 1989 book or R. Ward Bissell's book (see above).
- Where can I get posters of her paintings?
They are quite hard to find. Your best chance is on Ebay.com
- Do you know if there are any exhibits of her paintings touring at present?
Sorry, I do not know. I do not live in the USA, which is where this question usually arises.
- I saw a painting of Danae by Artemisia at the St. Louis Art Museum. Why it is not on your website?
This painting's attribution changed from Orazio to Artemisia in 1996. However, this attribution is still being strongly disputed by Bissell and was not mentioned at all by Garrard. Until either of these two world experts agree with the Artemisia attribution, it will not be added.
- What is your opinion of the movie "Artemisia"?
It was beautifully filmed and has served to popularise Artemisia. While most of the story is reasonably accurate, my major criticism is the way that it portrays the relationship between Artemisia and Tassi.
The film shows them as misunderstood lovers, with Artemisia the reluctant plaintiff, and Tassi the unfairly accused victim. The reality is that while their sexual relationship became consensual, it did not start out that way. Also, Tassi's behaviour in court was abominable, accusing Artemisia of promiscuity, including having sex with her father. Hardly the behaviour of someone who claimed to love Artemisia.
- Have you read "Passion of Artemisia"?
Yes, and I have had email correspondence with the author, Susan Vreeland.
I found it an interesting semi-biographical account, which follows her life after the court case. Vreeland draws on the conflict that Artemisia had with the important men in her life, including her father, her husband, and Tassi. It also gives some insight into the vast difficulties of a woman of that era trying to gain recognition and a living as an artist.
Vreeland, Susan 2002 The Passion of Artemisia Headline Book Publishing.
(This historical novel has now been translated into 20 languages, is used in university and high school courses, and has won several awards. It was tremendously successful in Italy, and as a result, the author was asked to participate in the Festivaletteratura in Mantova.)
- Can I download the images from your website?
Yes, you may if they are for your private use. Please ask premission first if you plan to use them on a webpage, and please acknowledge their source with a link to this website.
- How do I link to this website?
Easy! Just pick one of the fields below and select all the code (Ctrl-A), then copy (Ctrl-C) and paste (Ctrl-V) the code into the html of your webpage.
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