The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland

By
Recently rediscovered by art historians, and one of the few female post-Renaissance painters to achieve fame during her own era, Artemisia Gentileschi led a remarkably "modern" life.

Susan Vreeland tells Artemisia's captivating story, beginning with her public humiliation in a rape trial at the age of eighteen, and continuing through her father's betrayal, her marriage of convenience, motherhood, and growing fame as an artist. Set against the glorious backdrops of Rome, Florence, Genoa, and Naples, inhabited by historical characters such as Galileo and Cosimo de' Medici II, and filled with rich details about life as a seventeenth-century painter, Vreeland creates an inspiring story about one woman's lifelong struggle to reconcile career and family, passion and genius. (see)

 In my deep interest with history and ancient art, I could not pass up reading the books of Susan Vreeland whose titles are reminiscent of Tracy Chevalier's (most are related to art and women) but I shall not compare them. The Passion of Artemisia is the first of her books that I came across and one I wouldn't part with. It is a gem, period.

 In this historical fiction, it explored Gentileschi's passion and struggle on pursuing painting, inspired by her father, Orazio Gentileschi and the contrasting strokes of the famed Caravaggio; especially when she painted a Judith (Judith Slaying Hornofernes). But it is a far rougher road for a woman in 1500s. 

A woman's passion, in the olden days, could be a double-edged sword that could work for or against her and in this book, it shows how bitter the price is. More than that though, it is a woman's tenacity and strength that could also deliver her and free her from haunted pasts.

 Vreeland's portrayal of Artemisia is wrought with poignancy and vivid bold colors just like her paintings. There is that hint of desolation in me when Artemisia almost sympathized herself of sharing pain with Lucretia. Ah, what lengths a woman just go through~. But I like the glimpse of the threads of friendship between her and Galileo who at that time is also facing his own battle about the facts of the universe. In a way, they understood each other for they've found themselves in a same place; standing firm upon their beliefs.

Title: The Passion of Artemisia
Author: Susan Vreeland
Genre: Historical, Art
Published: 2002
Publisher: Penguin Books
My rating: ♨♨♨♨  (4 cups - Full of beautiful prose and well-research. A bittersweet story but what is unmistakable is the passion and strength of Artemisia which remains with you in the end.)

Comments

Post a Comment

Have Your Say!

Popular posts from this blog

Release Blitz: Cocktales: An Anthology

By
Image
Cocktales , a limited-release anthology of original, never before published material, from some of your favorite bestselling authors is available now! Each story was specifically written for this anthology. The goal of the Cocktales Anthology is to raise funds to fight against obstruction of creative expression. Specifically, what we believe are obstruction attempts through the trademarking of common (single) words for titicular use in books / or as a book series (eBooks, print, and audio). Cocktales will only be available May 26th-August 26th. Download your copy today: Amazon: https://amzn.to/2InBckG Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/Cocktales Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2rUn33i iBooks: https://apple.co/2IoO7CM Nook: https://bit.ly/2k0i25J Kobo: http://bit.ly/2IIixiH Google Play: https://bit.ly/2ImisBR Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/CockTalesGR Contributing Authors Include: Nana Malone, USA Today Bestselling author – Foreword
Read more

The Secret Star by K.C. Finn

By
Image
It was just another day for 35-year-old-turning-36-tomorrow Jeffrey Mercier, when he woke up on his flat in London in 1969. He went on with his usual routine, going to work for his boring job at Harlan and Locke. It did seem to be an ordinary day, until a young woman told him that he's gonna die in ten minutes if he won't go out of the building. Of course he didn't believe her, yet he found himself outside the building ten minutes later, the building blown up. He was saved again from a stampede by the same young woman whom he met ten minutes ago, introducing herself as Marie-Elizabeth Giraud. Marie was tasked to save Jeff from death and take him to the Time Agency, where he's going to be inducted as a time agent. Later that day, Jeffrey Mercier's life as Mister Mercy begins.
Read more

Blog Hop Giveaway:Switched by Cassie Mae

By
Image
Switched by Cassie Mae was a funny and often frustrating read but highly entertaining. Kayla, Wesley, Reagan and Talon were all friends. Reagan and Talon were a couple while Kayla and Wesley, well they've been pining for these two since high school. Told from Kayla's point of view, she, dragging Wesley along hatches a plan to break the happy couple apart. Because as everyone can see Talon is her soulmate while Wesley is Reagan's. Thus starts the funs and the laughs and the musical chairs between the four. Kayla as a character was frustrating initially for me, I have no idea whether its because she was being an evil bestfriend to Reagan or she really was in love with Talon. I could not really hate nor empathize with her at the start. As the story progressed and the romance part began, her sudden self awareness becomes believable. The pace, the tone and style of writing was excellent. I can see that Cassie Mae has developed her own unique voice in the
Read more