Are you an artist? This book is for you. Are you a feminist? This book is for you. Are you a female artist? THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!! A sad book written in prose and stories Artemisia's mother told, it certainly paints with words to reveal the life and trials of Artemisia Gentileschi, a seventeen year old girl (woman when it's convenient) who has more talent in her pinkie at painting than her father, also an artist, has in his entire body. Yet this is the 1500's so of course no one gives her the credit that is due. What does a woman know about painting the human form? It's obviously not her own work. Or her own talent.

A trigger warning (also a spoiler to anyone who reads more than the first three paragraphs of the Wikipedia article) and also a rant to follow:

Spoiler

Artemisia is raped by her tutor.

The saddest part? Reading this, even though being from the 1500's--and there is an actual, detailed, written account of the trial she went through against her rapist--the accusations and trial were not so different from what goes on today. Rape culture is about as prevalent today as it was in 16th century Italy, with a man's word having more worth than a woman's, a man's punishment not coming close to the crime committed, a woman being interrogated and doubted and forced to go through her ordeal over and over "just in case she's lying", being quick to be judged as "dramatic" or "she was asking for it". Even if the case is won, the woman has already lost the moment she was used by a man who thinks he has the right to use women as he sees fit.

Look her up, and I'll bet you know at least one of her paintings, knowledge in art history or not. Take a good long look and then read this book!!