Artemisia Gentileschi

This book was such a disappointment! I had read through the comments and read that this was "a good collection of her work" and found myself highly disappointed as there were only 2, yes 2, full color full page photos! The rest were as pictured. With a price tag of $30-60 for information you can easily read online seems ridiculous at minimum, but what I don't understand is why the reviews claim this to be a good collection!I am still giving it 2 stars because the writer did well, and I suppose my expectations may be high from other reviews, but anyone looking for a fully illustrated collection of her work should look elsewhere.Aside from the real problems of this book, the copy I ordered clearly said no marks, even in my receipt, yet the book is highlighted and marked with blue ink pen all over it! I'm going to try to return and buy the other more expensive book, check the reviews there to see if it turned out to be a flop as well!

I think that this work delves significantly into the time that Gentileschi lived, bringing as many details as possible about her that are available to us. It is exceptionally well-researched and thought out. If you truly want to know anything about this artist, I feel it probably is in here somewhere.But, with that said, it is a very heavy book. Perhaps Garrard may be forgiven for forgetting to explain things that may be evident to her, but I found myself having to go on the internet to look up what she was talking about a lot of the time. I do not specialize in Italian art history, but I have a pretty good foundation in art history. I found her use of phrases in foreign languages without an English translation tiresome, and I didn't like having to flip back forth through the book so often to get the meaning of a thought. If you have to sit by a computer because you know you're going to need it every couple of pages, there is a problem.My other comment is that, while I respect Garrard's right to an educated opinion, it is just that. For instance, we don't know why Gentileschi painted several Judiths. It was a very popular subject then, and while her court experience and rape might well have led her to want to paint it, we simply do not know. Garrard repeats this and several other opinions ad nauseum, making and already ponderous tome even longer. I find Gentilschi's life and work fascinating, but I gave this book only three stars because, sadly, I am unlikely to have the desire/time to finish it. I am used to reading reference work, used to plodding through academic language, love comparisons with other artists of their time, and I'm willing to go the extra mile to understand an artist's work. But, after awhile I began to feel that Garrard cared more about publishing a brilliant work.Sadly, I think that Artemisia got a little lost in this.

If you want to travel into the mind of Artemisia Gentileschi, as Garrard obviously did, this book is an incredible asset to your journey. She takes you through Artemisia's life (Rome, Florence, Naples etc.) from the very first information to her death. Garrard has her ideas, but they are hardly overtly feminist or out of context. The intelligent reader goes beyond the author anyhow and reads the paintings. This book has copies of every known letter to have been written or received by Artemisia and most of her artwork, her complete rape trial, along with comparisons to her father's work and other artists that she had contact with. It is extremely fascinating and a more complete anayalis of an artist's life that I have yet seen. ...and about Susanna- don't tell me for a minute that the woman who painted that strength of repulsion wasn't being threatened (not necessarily by Tassi but likely Cosimo or even Francesco- think about it) have you ever seen a Susanna that genuinely apalled? Most renditions of the tale feature fear, surprise, or complete oblivion (allure even). Her Susanna is truly defensive and angry; horrified and disgusted.

Mary Garrard pays scholarly tribute to Artemisia Gentileschi in this fine compilation. Anyone interested in Italian Baroque art, especially the Caravaggio followers, will find this book a great resource. Many color plates (most of the artists most important works) and black and white images support the text.

An excellent examination of this remarkable painter's life and works. The discussion about Artemisia's contribution as a woman in art (including her role in shaping feminism) is interesting. The interpretations given of some of the paintings provide a fascinating look into her works. Highly recommended!!!

On receipt was initially impressed but on opening the book was disappointed at the shortage of large colour art prints spread at intervals throughout. There were 24 full scale colour reproductions all together in the centre of the book.

You don't learn much about Garrard as writer from this work. Garrard lets the art do all the talking. I was a bit dissapointed in that fact since I want to learn as much as possible about the life of the artist. This is something you should own if you want to own good copies of some of the major works of the artist. The plates are of large size and good quality. This is an excellent companion to keep at hand when doing research on the artist. Garrard makes interesting and intelligent choices in what works represent the artist at each time in professional life.

This is a very important book about a great artist and courageous women. She has become an icon for modern feminists, however as a feminist myself I would hate to have her pigeon holed in this way much as she is to be admired for her bravery and advanced thinking, but it is as an artist that she should be most admired for otherwise I feel she will be treated like other female artists that have been seen in the past as somehow lesser in quality than their male counterparts. To always be referenced as a feminist icon is qualifying an artist that should be seen as a great artist first and foremost.

This beautiful and powerful book gives the historical context of this skilled and talented painter's work as well as the letters she sent to many noblemen and the court transcripts of the ordeal she endured at the hands of a sexual predator. If you are interested in the life and work of Artemisia Gentileschi, this is the most comprehensive and well written account of same.

Bought as a gift and recipient is delighted.

As I visited Florence, Italy and saw two or three paintings by this artist, it was good to read up more of the history behind them as information given by the Tourist Guide is somewhat limited.

Exactly as described and well packaged.