Why read The Passion of Artemisia?

Book cover of The Passion of Artemisia

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"Susan Vreeland set a high standard with Girl in Hyacinth Blue.... The Passion of Artemisia is even better.... Vreeland's unsentimental prose turns the factual Artemisia into a fictional heroine you won't soon forget." —People

A true-to-life novel of one of the few female post-Renaissance painters to achieve fame during her…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Passion of Artemisia as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Alison Ragsdale

Author

Artemisia Gentileschi was a 17th-century Italian Baroque painter. One of the most fascinating and progressive artists of her time, she was also the first woman ever accepted into the prestigious Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence. Her personal life was riddled with turmoil—from rape to torture and public humiliation, but she endured it all to pursue her passion for painting. Many artists sacrifice for their art, but this woman took on an entire city and the Inquisition, and still went on to paint what are considered some of the most brilliant paintings of all time. For me, she is…

From Alison's list on The best books with feisty, female protagonists.