The Easel

Meet Artemisia Gentileschi, The Feminist Contemporary Of Caravaggio

A woman artist finally joins the story of Renaissance art. Gender bias explains only part of Gentileschi’s low profile. After a prominent early career in Italy she moved to Spanish-controlled Naples and responded to the Spanish preference for a softer, less dramatic style. Today’s admiration for Caravaggio has meant a discounting of her later output – most unfairly according to a new book. Some marvelous images are here.