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315 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2001
”’In time, Artemisia, it won’t matter.’Because of this, her father arranges a marriage to another artist in the hopes that his daughter’s reputation will be restored. However, while Artemisia follows his orders, there’s one thing that rules over her life: her desire to paint, and to be the best painter that there is. Over the years she accomplishes those goals, but not without blood, sweat, tears, and the ever-present sexism. And yet she still manages to succeed and is now considered one of the most widely regarded and respected artists of her era. Susan Vreeland’s loose retelling of Artemisia’s life truly shows how great of a woman she was, while at the same time bringing to life the rich world of Renaissance Italy and the powerful themes of art, family, feminism.
‘When a woman’s name is all she has, it matters.’”
”What a novelty, a wife who painted. How curious, How droll. She even thought the academy would want her. Foolish woman.”She was going to paint, and she was going to do it no matter what.
”’I am my father’s daughter.’She truly had the best intentions for Palmiera, but in the end her desire to be a painter would occasionally trump her desire to give her daughter a better life. The author does a wonderful job of capturing Artemisia’s inner struggles to be a wonderful painter to her outward expectations others have placed on her to be a dutiful wife and mother.
‘How’s that?’
‘We have both chosen art over our daughters,’ I said softly.
‘Only time will tell whether it’s been worth the price.’”