Saint Apollonia by Artemisia Gentileschi ca. 1642-1644

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1656) was an Italian Baroque painter and the first woman to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence. She was born in Rome to the painter Orazio Gentileschi and was trained by him from a young age. Artemisia's style was heavily influenced by Caravaggio, with her use of dramatic lighting and intense realism. She often depicted powerful women from mythological and biblical stories, such as Judith beheading Holofernes and Susanna and the Elders. Artemisia's life was marked by personal tragedy and controversy. She was raped by her father's colleague, Agostino Tassi, when she was 17 years old, and the subsequent trial brought her great notoriety. She later married and had children, but her husband was unfaithful and she struggled financially. Despite these challenges, Artemisia continued to paint and gained recognition for her talent during her lifetime. Today, she is celebrated as one of the most important female artists of the Baroque era.