Meredith’s Perugia #35: A Main Draw For Her, The Exuberant Baroque And Renaissance

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Ms. Artemisia Gentileschi is known not only for being an exceptional painter of the Baroque time, but because of a judicial case of sexual violence committed in 1611.

Artemisia denounced painter Agostino Tassi for rape, allegedly committed on May 1611. She filed her formal complaint to judges in Rome in 1612.

Tassi was arrested, the trial lasted seven month. He was convicted and sentenced to exile from the city. 

Artemisia had the public opinion against her, people suspected sexual intercourse was consensual because she had “talked too late” (February 1612,nine months later). So the “Tassi-supporters” put up a defamatory caimpaign against Artemisia in order to harm her crediblity. She also had “expert” doctor reports against her.   

But the judges kept on investigating for seven months. Despite the people’s rumors and the doctors reports, they believed Artemisia and convicted Tassi:

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processo_ad_Agostino_Tassi_per_lo_stupro_di_Artemisia_Gentileschi

The rape of Artemisia Gentileschi occurred when she was a 18-year old, long before she became famous as a painter.

She often portrays violence in her paintings, in particular her masterwork portrays the killing of Olopherne by the hand of Judith.

Thanks for these videos.

Beautiful landscapes and art in the BBC Italy Unpacked series. I’ve almost finished Part 1.

A word of warning to anyone who loves their food and drink - the cuisine on display will have you rushing to the kitchen to see what pale imitation you can rustle up!

Fascinating about Ms Artemesia…very accomplished painter, it would seem, and prolific too.
And that human nature but repeats itself! Thank you Yummi, and main posters, for this.

Where next:

Or to next entry Meredith And Her Understanding Of The Power Of Good Thoughts

Or to previous entry John Kercher’s Excellent Book “Meredith” On Meredith’s Friends Lloyd, Natalie, And Helen