Why did artemisia gentileschi become an artist

(1593-1652)

Who Was Artemisia Gentileschi?

Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter. She painted her earliest signed and dated work, "Susanna and the Elders," around 1610, and later created such works as "Madonna and Child, "Judith Slaying Holofernes" and "Cleopatra." Gentileschi lived in Florence for several years and later spent time in Genoa and Venice.

In 1630, she moved to Naples. Around 1638, she and her father, Orazio Gentileschi, worked together on a series for Queen Henrietta Maria.

Early Life

Born in Rome, Italy, on July 8, 1593, Gentileschi is credited as one of the greatest female painters of the Baroque period.

Artemisia gentileschi children

She developed her artistic skills with the help of her father, Orazio, an accomplished painter in his own right. Orazio was greatly influenced by Caravaggio, with whom he had a brief friendship.

Gentileschi lost her mother when she was 12 years old.

She suffered another tragedy five ye