The Fall and Rise of Artemisia Gentileschi: Changing Perceptions fo a Female Artist
Graduation Date
Spring 2009
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program Name
Humanities
First Reader
Leslie Ross, PhD
Second Reader
Heidi Chretien, PhD
Abstract
This thesis focuses on the Italian Baroque female artist, Artemisia Gentileschi (1593- 1652/1653) and the various interpretations of her work demonstrated by art historians over the centuries. An examination of the various writings show how art historical viewpoints have shifted over the centuries and how there has been a tendency to sexualize this successful female artist. The first major scholarly writing dedicated solely to the work of Artemisia was the art historian R. Ward Bissell in 1968. After his initial work many other scholars became interested in Artemisia. The feminist art historian Mary Garrard is considered the leading scholar on Artemisia. Her work influenced many other art historians to further study the life and work of Artemisia. More recently the 1998 film Artemisia has portrayed the life of Artemisia in a more sexualized manner. This thesis examines the various interpretations of Artemisia and the problems that may occur when interpreting an artist s life and work.