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The Passion of Artemisia

by Susan Vreeland (Goodreads Author)

3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 · rating details · 6,977 ratings · 450 reviews

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...more

Paperback, 352 pages

Published December 17th 2002 by Penguin Books

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Mar 27, 2011 Suzanne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-historical-fiction, language-dutch-translation, topic-artists-and-writers, setting-italy, time-modern-early

I love love love this book. It had been sitting on my shelves for years before I read it, and though I could be sorry I waited so long, somehow I'm glad for the hidden treasure it became. I found the book very interesting and well written. I already knew about Artemisia from a movie I saw, but as usual, the book left a far bigger impression.

The only thing that could improve this book, or at least the cheap Dutch edition I read, is a list of Italian words used and (color) prints of the paintings...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Hilary G rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ex Bookworm group review:

It took me rather a long time to read this book. Despite the fact the life of a female painter in what was pretty much a man's world was a great subject, the book failed to engage me somehow. I felt unmoved by Artemisia's suffering in the same way she suspected her daughter Palmira was, and for the same reason, I suspect. It was too far removed from the world I know to have any real meaning for me.

My progress through the book was a series of highs and lows. I liked the d...more Ex Bookworm group review:

It took me rather a long time to read this book. Despite the fact the life of a female painter in what was pretty much a man's world was a great subject, the book failed to engage me somehow. I felt unmoved by Artemisia's suffering in the same way she suspected her daughter Palmira was, and for the same reason, I suspect. It was too far removed from the world I know to have any real meaning for me.

My progress through the book was a series of highs and lows. I liked the descriptions of Florence and some of the great works of art to be found there. I was fascinated by Artemisia's thought processes when she was creating a new painting, and by the details about proportions, light and shade and the mixing of pigments (the colours had wonderful names), how she looked at things and tried to paint truth. I was immensely irritated by the Italian words scattered needlessly (and, on the whole, meaninglessly) throughout the book. In italics, too (my pet hate). I couldn't be bothered to look them up and find out what they meant, sometimes I guessed, sometimes I didn't care. But I didn't see the point of putting 'cassone' when trunk would do just as well (if I guessed right). Perhaps I shouldn't object to Italian words and Italics in a book about Italy, but I did.

Artemisia was a bit too much of a victim for my liking, and often, she was a victim of herself. She wanted to be loved but she wasn't very loving. She was supposedly betrayed by her husband, but she was not exactly a bundle of warmth and love herself. She wanted everyone to accept her for what she was, but she didn't do that. She was determined Palmira would be a painter despite her having no interest in painting. I'm sure she felt betrayed by Palmira too, but she betrayed little understanding that her daughter might have different aspirations. In many senses, Artemisia was as wooden as Palmira's Bathsheba. Painting was her only passion and when she wasn't painting, she was not particularly interesting. But even painting didn't seem a source of joy to Artemisia, just an essential part of her being. She was rather lacking in joy overall, though there were some funny moments, they were unintentional, such as her rather carnal use of Michelangelo's paintbrush and her statement to Galileo that she would try to feel the earth move.

To my own surprise I was moved by the ending of the book, which brought quite a lump to my throat. Looking back on what I had read I decided Artemisia was a very interesting person despite what I thought of her along the way.
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Jan 31, 2012 Bookseller Cate rated it 5 of 5 stars

I will most definitely read this book again. It provokes far too many questions for a single reading.

Can a woman be both a mother and an artist, without sacrificing the one to the glory of the other? Which is more truly the artist's child, the one of flesh and blood that cares nothing for art, or the stranger who drinks deeply from the artist's inspiration? When a parent sacrifices his child for the sake of his art, what damage does it create? What beauties can grow from the ashes?

Vreeland's p...more I will most definitely read this book again. It provokes far too many questions for a single reading.

Can a woman be both a mother and an artist, without sacrificing the one to the glory of the other? Which is more truly the artist's child, the one of flesh and blood that cares nothing for art, or the stranger who drinks deeply from the artist's inspiration? When a parent sacrifices his child for the sake of his art, what damage does it create? What beauties can grow from the ashes?

Vreeland's portrayal of Artemisia Gentileschi is breathtaking. Like Artemisia's own paintings, it's the very flaws in the subject that create much of the beauty. Artemisia is shuffled this way and that by the actions of others: her rapist, her father, her husband, but she is also strong enough to take her own actions and make the best life she can with what she is given. She has determination, ingenuity and, above everything, the need to paint and the knowledge that her work will make a mark on the world.

Even as she sets out to make that mark, the world is changing. Galileo Galilei, Artemisia's acquaintance and then friend, has discovered the moons of Jupiter and the spots on the sun. The Earth is not the centre of the universe, man is not in the centre of God's vision. Artemisia, through her life, struggles to accept that her mark on the world may be no more than "a touch of color at the edge of a painting, contributing to the whole but unnoticed by most".

With all the buffeting Artemisia endures by their hands, it would be easy for Vreeland to make men the villains in this novel, but she has resisted the temptation. There are good men and bad, loving women and hating ones. The men who affect Artemisia's life take actions, some of which they regret, some of which they don't, but Vreeland sympathetically shows their motivations and leaves us, like Artemisia, to forgive or not, as we choose. Like all of us, they do not foresee all the consequences of their actions and tragic things happen while they sit down to breakfast.

But The Passion of Artemisia is not all shadows. There are moments of pure joy, of knowing that one is part of something so grand, so elaborate, that one can hardly grasp its scope. In such a passage, Vreeland writes in Artemisia's voice:

"I fell asleep thinking of the incomprehensible, baffling order of the universe that kept the planets in their courses, birds in flight, and towers from tumbling down. In this universe where I knew now we were not the center, where I was as insignificant and unremarkable as a grain of salt seen from a tower, God still allowed me to take my next breath."

A book to be treasured and studied. Like a fine painting, looking closely at the details shows more clearly the beauty of the whole. (less)

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Jul 17, 2011 Vivian Valvano rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved it. I am so happy that one of the LIT women recommended it for our group. Artemisia was a late Renaissance painter from Rome and the first woman elected to the Academia del Arte of Florence. This novel stays very close to many facets of the historical woman's life and career. Vreeland gives her a keen intelligence, an enchanting personality, a depth of emotion to match her prodigious talent, and an effective narrative voice. Vreeland also stays true to much timely historical data. Artemi...more

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Mar 11, 2011 Ardesia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: xxx

Romanzo avvolgente e scorrevole che penso possa piacere più che altro a chi è totalmente digiuno della vita di Artemisia Gentileschi, visto che essenzialmente, per quanto riguarda le questioni biografiche, la sensazione è che si sia proceduto a smontarle, modificarle e rimontarle lasciandone indietro più della metà e stravolgendo le rimanenti. Il racconto in prima persona è molto suggestivo, proprio come suggestivi sono i ragionamenti e le riflessioni che nascono nella mente dell'artista riguard...more

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Mar 06, 2011 Cameling rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

A fine historical fiction following the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, the first woman in 1600s Italy to be accepted to the Academy of the Arts of Drawing in Rome. Her works, of which her series of the Judith story is the most famous, portray strong females with attention to their natural form, rather than the more commonly idealized version of the female form by male painters of the time.

Her life as a painter was almost destroyed when she stood a public and humiliating court trial after her fa...more A fine historical fiction following the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, the first woman in 1600s Italy to be accepted to the Academy of the Arts of Drawing in Rome. Her works, of which her series of the Judith story is the most famous, portray strong females with attention to their natural form, rather than the more commonly idealized version of the female form by male painters of the time.

Her life as a painter was almost destroyed when she stood a public and humiliating court trial after her father accused her painting teacher of raping her. She was subjected to a public gynecological examination and tortured with thumbscrews during her interrogation. The belief at the time, was that, if a person could tell the same story under torture, then it must be true. She bore the physical scars of the thumbscrews for the rest of her life on her hands.

To escape from the jeers and slurs in Rome slung at her, her father arranged her marriage to a Florentine artist and she left Rome. While being a wife and mother, her artistic career started to take flight in Florence, where she gained the protection of the Granduke Cosimo de Medici. She became friends with Galileo, and she was favored by Michaelangelo Buonarroti the younger, (nephew of the great Michaelangelo).

But an artist's survival depends on patrons who commission works from them, and that meant sometimes that the artist had to move to new cities to find new commissions. Artemisia took her family with her as she moved from Florence to Rome, Venice, Naples and briefly England.

The fictitious take on Artemisia's life, while changing some of her conditions and certainly the make up of her family as a child, and her family after marriage, doesn't detract from showcasing a woman who lived for painting, a woman who didn't allow her past to turn her into a meek and apologetic woman, a woman curious about the world and a woman who sought to make those who look at her works think of the people in them, as opposed to looking at them as flat figures. In a way, I'd say she sought to challenge their opinions of familiar subjects.(less)

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Mar 02, 2011 CoffeeBook Chick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Without question, Vreeland has done a lot of research, and it shows. Influenced by her father's art and the controversial Caravaggio, Artemisia's paintings bring to life with vivid talent some of the darker moments from the Bible and historical legend. Absorbing and richly described, The Passion of Artemisia is a beautiful, and sometimes gritty, insight into Baroque Italy's artists, patrons, and even religion. Artemisia's life is visually detailed by Vreeland, as descriptive and thought-provokin...more Without question, Vreeland has done a lot of research, and it shows. Influenced by her father's art and the controversial Caravaggio, Artemisia's paintings bring to life with vivid talent some of the darker moments from the Bible and historical legend. Absorbing and richly described, The Passion of Artemisia is a beautiful, and sometimes gritty, insight into Baroque Italy's artists, patrons, and even religion. Artemisia's life is visually detailed by Vreeland, as descriptive and thought-provoking as Gentileschi's actual paintings. The end result is a most satisfying read, of an engaging and tangible view into life for a female artist during one of the most influential times of Italian art.

Those who are interested in art, the process of mixing paints and applying to canvas, and how a painting is translated from the mind to the canvas, will truly enjoy this book. If you liked Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, then you will most likely enjoy The Passion of Artemisa by Susan Vreeland. I look forward to the next audio production of Susan Vreeland's Girl in Hyacinth Blue, also narrated by Gigi Bermingham, and also focusing on art.

Thoughts on the Audio
This is my first audio book that I actually enjoyed! Many of you know that I've struggled with finding a good one. Vreeland's story of this historical figure felt genuine and thorough, and the usage of the Italian language peppered throughout is wonderfully engaging and kept me enthralled. In fact, this is one of those books where I believe (based on the overall professional production of it) that I would much prefer the audio to the printed version.

Part of my enjoyment of this audio production was Gigi Bermingham's lyrical and fluid narration. When reviewing her background, it's no surprise that she is also registered with the Screen Actors Guild and has done film and television. Effectively maneuvering through the Italian language with an ease of an Italian born in Rome, Bermingham carried the story effortlessly. There was a clear and distinct voice to each of the characters, men included, and never once did I feel distracted. Combined with musical interludes introducing chapters, this audio production was exactly what I needed to feel more comfortable with listening to books.(less)

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Mar 05, 2010 Mimi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Yet another interesting and well-written piece of historical fiction about art history! I’ve read several of them within the past 6 months or so (Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier and Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland) and they have each been uniquely entertaining (although, I must admit that I am ready for a new genre!). As she proved in Girl in Hyacinth Blue (which I completed on 10-18-2002), Ms. Vreeland is an intriguing and poetic writer. She was able to convey the story of...more Yet another interesting and well-written piece of historical fiction about art history! I’ve read several of them within the past 6 months or so (Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier and Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland) and they have each been uniquely entertaining (although, I must admit that I am ready for a new genre!). As she proved in Girl in Hyacinth Blue (which I completed on 10-18-2002), Ms. Vreeland is an intriguing and poetic writer. She was able to convey the story of woman artist Artemesia Gentileschi in the first person, using her art as integral to story development.

Artemesia was born in Rome in the 1500s when women painters were unheard of. Yet, she inherited her gift from her father, Orazio Gentileschi, and she made her art her primary goal in her life. The story really begins after Artemesia was raped by her father’s partner and she had to endure a trial which made her look like the guilty party (her father was more concerned with his own reputation than his daughter’s virtue). She was then labeled as “a whore” in Rome, forced into a marriage of convenience to Pietro and sent to Venice to live. Although they had a daughter together, she and Pietro had a loveless marriage and Artemesia eventually left him to pursue her artistic destiny. The book continues to trace her life, birth from the artistic and maternal perspective. …And in the end, reconciliation with her father, Orazio.

One of my favorite elements of this book was Artemsia’s friendship with Galileo. She connected while living in Venice with Pietro and was the first woman accepted into the art academy. She had several conversation with him about his revolutionary observations about the universe and his realization that the Earth was not the center of the universe, as Church canon preached. Of course she was devestated when he was forced through torture to recant his studies as heresy but she never denied the validity of his genius. It amazed me because even today there are those elements of organized religion that view themselves as the center of the universe. I guess things only change slightly!

A good companion book to this novel is Orazio and Artemesia Gentileschi , written by Keith Christiansen and Judith W. Mann (2001, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York/ Yale University Press, New Haven and New London). This reference book discusses the history and art of both father and daughter and has some beautiful reproductions of their art. I also found a number of great websites about Artemesia, including “The Life and Art of Artemesia Gentileschi” at http://members.ozemail.com.au/~drbras.... This site includes an informative history of the artist’s life as well as a thorough description of all her paintings. A must see for anyone wanting more insight into this courageous painter’s life. (less)

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Sep 23, 2012 Momm rated it 4 of 5 stars

The story of a young woman of Rome whose father goes to court to accuse her rapist of crimes against his daughter. SPOILER: Artemesia's reputation is ruined by this public court suit and the use of ropes twisting around her fingers to put the guilt of the crime back onto her instead of Augustino, the rapist. Her father halts the trial when Augustino returns a painting to him, which seems to be the only reason he pressed public charges. Artemesia is married off to a Florentine artist, who uses th...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Jane Sadek rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned

Some parts of this book are delicious. Artemisia lives in places like Rome, Florence and Naples during the Renaissance. She takes us along as she sees some of the most beautiful art ever created, while it's still shiny, bright and new. We also get to share the joy she experiences as she envisions the works which made her famous. With her we rub elbows with people like Galileo and the Medicis. All these things make the book a pleasure to read.

But Artemesia had a very difficult life and Vreeland t...more Some parts of this book are delicious. Artemisia lives in places like Rome, Florence and Naples during the Renaissance. She takes us along as she sees some of the most beautiful art ever created, while it's still shiny, bright and new. We also get to share the joy she experiences as she envisions the works which made her famous. With her we rub elbows with people like Galileo and the Medicis. All these things make the book a pleasure to read.

But Artemesia had a very difficult life and Vreeland throws us into the worst patch of it in the first pages of the book, before we've even met these people. I know that a gripping beginning is the fashion this day in time, but I wanted to know more about what was going on, before I faced torture with our teen-aged heroine, at the hands of the Inquisition. By comparison the balance of the book is a lot of hand-wringing,"Oh woe is me, this painting gig is tough," when it seems she'd just be very glad to be alive. The reader careens wildly from the Inquisition, to a difficult marriage, to a clinking cups with Galileo at the Medici's and the book has barely begun.

One thing Vreeland did with great skill was illustrate the relationship between Artemisia and her daughter, Palmira. Artemisia desperately wants the girl to embrace painting and find the joy of creation she herself enjoys, but Palmira has different ideas. Artemisia's relationship with her father is more difficult, since it's his fault she had to face the Inquisition, but the real home of her heart is the convent where she spend a portion of her childhood. Her marriage is unremarkable in comparison to her growing reputation in the art circles of Renaissance Italy. It is when she's visiting the convent or communicating with the nuns that I felt I best understood Aretmesia and her difficult situation.

But I do recommend this book. Once you get past the Inquisition, it's a quick pleasurable read that introduces you to a remarkable woman who made a name for herself as a painter in the Renaissance, not a small feat by any stretch of the imagination.

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Sep 19, 2012 Ellen Gemmill rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was tempted to sneer (but only slightly!) at the dialog in the book, which seemed ridiculously flowery and over the top, until I took a step back and reminded myself that dialog in the 1500s was very different than it is today. Once I did that, I could fully appreciate the language as it gave voice to the emotions of the characters (particularly the passion, in both positive and negative expressions).

Having given myself over to the story I became swept up in the life of Artemisia. What a cour...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Rebecca rated it 2 of 5 stars

I first read one of Vreeland's books when I was in middle school (Girl in Hyacinth Blue), and I remember enjoying it very much. I bought this book shortly thereafter, and then approximately 15 years went by, and I finally got around to reading it. I would have loved this book in middle or high school, but reading it now, at approximately 27, the writing and characterization were a bit too simplistic.

One thing Vreeland does do well in this book is get inside the mind of the main character, a fema...more

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Oct 12, 2009 Julianna rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Suzanne Horton

Recommended to Julianna by: Candace Stephenson-Stockstill

It's important to know that prior to the 19th century Western Civilization did not believe women were capable of rational logical thought. As a result of this belief women were brood mares. Their fate in life was predetermined by society. A female was the property of her father and then her husband. That makes what Artemisia Gentileschi accomplished Extraordinary!
Women were unable to vote before the reform movement. Most Western Nations did not allow Women to vote until the 20th Century. People...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Krystl Louwagie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's a high 3 stars because it was written well, and I have to love Artemisia, always have. However, the book focuses a lot on things I'm not interested in, such as marriage and kids and cheating husbands and and forgiveness. I guess maybe I'm still too young and an angry person, but...I think forgiveness is over-rated.
It was a nice look into what might've been Artemisia's life, but I don't have any idea why this is supposed to be a YA novel, other than maybe it's not long and isn't super in dep...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Where do I start? This is my first Susan Vreeland read and I cannot wait to read more.

I loved this book. I do not read as much as I would like to in the historical fiction genre. This book captured my love of history, art, women's history, and the themes of friendship, husand/wife, family, especially, mother and daughter relationships.

As previously mentioned, I feel almost any review would be filled with spoilers (at least in mind). So, how do I encourage you to read this, with this scant revi...more

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Jan 19, 2010 Chrissie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: art, italy, history, kirkus, bio, text-checked, religion, relationships

NO SPOILERS!

Finished: I feel like I was a bit harsh in all my previous criticism. However what I sais IS what I felt at those particular points in the book. I am giving this 4 stars - the ending was superbly done. What can I say other than that I forgive all the previous faults that irritated me. Still, one can be almost proud to NOT be religious! The title is perfect. The Passion of Artemesia is tha passion that moves an artist. Now at the end, I simply have deep respect for this woman, artist,...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Mia - rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Non sono un'esperta di storia dell'arte e conosco poco, mea culpa, la storia di Artemisia Gentileschi. Non posso quindi commentare questo libro dal punto di vista della veridicità storica. Ho letto altri commenti qui su Anobii, a lettura terminata, e mi affido a questi, che evidenziano una forzatura dell'aspetto romanzato della vita di quest'artista.
Detto questo, il romanzo si legge bene, è secondo me ben scritto, capace di creare un mondo fatto di colori, i colori da cui Artemisia si sente cost...more

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Apr 15, 2009 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a great book about a famous female artist, Artemisia Gentilechi, who lived from 1593 to 1653, mainly in Rome, Florence, and Naples. After I read the book I was so intrigued by her that I did some research on the internet and found that even though this book is a novel, that most everything in the book really happened, i.e., the paintings that the book describes, the rape trial, and her friendship with Galileo. I loved looking at the actual paintings online after having read the book.

Ob...more

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Dec 06, 2009 Amnseia smith added it

the novel tells the story of Gentileschi's life and career in Renaissance Italy. Publicly humiliated and scorned in Rome after her participation as a defendant in a rape trial in which the accused is her painting teacher (and father's friend) Artemisia accepts a hastily arranged marriage at the age of 18 to Pietro Stiattesi, an artist in Florence. Her marriage, while not a love match, proves at first to be affectionate, and the arrival of a daughter, Palmira, strengthens the bond with her husban...more

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Jun 22, 2009 Andrea rated it 2 of 5 stars

Eh...what can I say...another one in my recent string of so-so (IMHO)book club selections. I typically thoroughly enjoy historical fiction, but I have read more engaging accounts of life in Florence & Venice during the time of the Medicis. Of course, I cant' remember the titles of those accounts, but anyone who is really motivated can search my "read" list & find them!
This was an interesting fictional take on the life of a real painter, Artemisia Gentileschi, who was the 1st woman to bec...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Naima rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

L'autrice ci avverte subito: la storia e i fatti devono essere uno spunto per scrivere un romanzo di fantasia. Non mi trovo proprio d'accordo con questa affermazione ma ho gradito che fosse messo subito in chiaro che la biografia di Artemisia Gentileschi �� qui molto romanzata. A parte questo ho apprezzato molto lo sforzo (riuscito) di raccontare le passioni, i moti d��animo, le ragioni intime che hanno guidato la vita ed il pennello di questa donna cos�� forte e dotata di talento. Una donna se...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Sarah Wagner rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

A readable novel about Artemisia Gentileschi, a female Baroque painter. In an era when most painters were men, Artemisia struggled to have her talent recognized. She was set back further by the scandal that enveloped her when she suffered a traumatic rape at the hands of one of her instructors and the subsequent trial damaged her reputation. The consequences followed Artemisia for the rest of her life, as she struggled to earn respect for her work. While a good read overall, I didn't like the ro...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is my second Vreeland novel - and I was not disappointed. If you like stories about strong women, historical fiction, or art, then this book is a good choice. What I liked most was reading about the struggles of Artemisia in a time when women's roles were in the home with family and children. She broke the mold long before the women's liberation movement. For me, the story of her career was also very compelling as I love art and enjoyed reading about the artist in her time. The author also...more

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Nov 04, 2010 Dianne rated it 4 of 5 stars

“The Passion of Artemisia,” by Susan Vreeland, is an awe inspiring tale of Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653). This tale encompasses the life and heroic efforts of Gentileschi's life in Renaissance Italy, during her struggles to be independent in an era where respectable women seldom ventured beyond the boundaries of their own homes. Physical and mental hardships along with abundantly artistic passion entwine and run rampant throughout this vividly engrossing novel. Vreeland depth...more

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Nov 14, 2010 Maggie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-historical-fiction

Ironic, but one of my students suggested and loaned this book to me. I finished it in about 2 days! I was enraptured with this historical fiction piece. I became so engrossed in this book, I found myself looking up the work and life of Artemisia on the internet, and that gave me a different perspective - much of what Vreeland wrote (the "facts" of her life) are arguable, but that's part of the history and part of the magic of this book. I felt the story so well-developed and the character of Art...more

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Nov 19, 2011 Virginia rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book, too. Artemisia really lived as did all the other artists that she has written about. She knew the Medici's and Galileo among others. Kind of a heartbreaking story for one that was so talented. I wonder if any of her paintings still exist. It was educational to hear about the places that she went and the things she saw. We have been to Rome, Florence, and Genoa so it was interesting to know about those landmarks that existed when she was alive. She was a good mother and tried t...more

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Feb 12, 2012 Christina rated it 4 of 5 stars

"At some times in our lives, our passion makes us perpetrators of hurt and loss. At other times we are the ones who are hurt."

This book is about the struggle to forgive. A haunting novel of the demons many women faced and tried to overcome in the early 1600's in Italy. A story that reminds us that while many seek truth, many also seek to cover up the truth to remain in power. I was moved by Artemisia's story and her search for la dolce vita, which ultimately was painting.

"The persistence of hope...more

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Jan 08, 2013 Marisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, book-club

Book club book for January...

I read this book in 24 hours - mostly while traveling - which I do think improves the reading experience. I really enjoyed the first half - I studied in Rome for 6 months and have spent several weeks in Florence and I think the references to particular streets and neighborhoods and churches (and artwork I have seen in person!) and Italian words/phrases improved the reading experience for me though I imagine that would annoy someone without that knowledge.

Overall I e...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, art

Artemisia Gentileschi Lomi, woman artist in 17th century Italy, was the first woman to be elected to the Accademia dell' Arte.

Her story and her work was lost in the shuffle of history until recently. In this book we are graced with Artemisia's story beginning with humiliation and betrayal, persevering, always pursuing her passion for art and conveying a different perspective than the earlier and contemporary male artists.

Artemisia's paintings and her family relationships, both good and bad, are...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Summer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: art, historical-fiction, europe

Artemisia Gentileschi is the daughter of Orazio Gentileschi, a famous painter. She follows in his footsteps as a painter but sometime in her early teens she is raped by one of Orazio's assistants. He is accused, and instead of him being humiliated, Artemisia is with "tests" to prove she is a virgin/not a virgin. The court thinks that she is just a whore instead, and that she wanted "it". She is shunning and mocked and spit upon during and after the trial. Her father marries her off to a man in F...more

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About Susan Vreeland

Susan Vreeland is an internationally renowned best-selling author and three-time winner of the Theodor Geisel Award for Fiction, the San Diego Book Award’s highest honor. She is known for writing historical fiction on art-related themes, including Girl in Hyacinth Blue, The Passion of Artemisia, and Luncheon of the Boating Party (Penguin, 2007). Her books have been translated into 25 languages. Sh...more

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Quotes from The Passion of Artemisia

“Amar es ponerse al cuello el nudo corredizo de la ilusión; adorar a alguien mientras pareces asfixiarte. Pero incluso el amor no correspondido, el amor fugaz, es mejor que nada.” — 2 people liked it

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avg rating	preview: The Passion of Artemisia Goodreads rating: 3.84 (6977 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/98048.The_Passion_of_Artemisia?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1311648181l/98048.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/98048.The_Passion_of_Artemisia?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland[/url]

The Passion of Artemisia

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