Artemisia Gentileschi

One of the most accomplished, but unacknowledged, painters of the Baroque period was Artemisia Gentileschi, who led a life of trauma and turmoil. Her earlier life included sexual abuse at the hands of her tutor, and his trial led to public humiliation for Gentileschi. Later on, Artemisia became a court painter for the Medici family and for Michelangelo’s nephew. She was the first female artist accepted into the Academy of Arts and Drawing. Gentileschi’s paintings portray strong and willful women who take charge. The artist’s works are often considered her retaliation against the degradation she endured.