Art. Activism. Awareness. Artemisia.

Judith slaying Holofernes, Artemisia Gentileschi, c.1620-1621
Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.
https://smarthistory.org/gentileschi-judith-slaying-holofernes/

The story of a widow from Bethulia, who used her advantage, beauty, to win back the land of her people. Beheading Holofernes, a victory of the land, because the generals weakness of promiscuity, and taking whats not his, was his final mistake. Though biblical, this is a statement that is rooted even deeper in the powerfully dynamic artist Artemisia Gentileschi. Artemisia was able to be the one and only woman of the Baroque era, and her unsung legacy is underrated when an in-depth look at her personal life is examined and applied to her artistic concepts

. 

This picture was created in c.1620 in Florence, Italy. Artemisia is a pioneer of art, she is credited to be the one and only follower of the great Caravaggio. She is the daughter of an artist, so she was exposed to art at a very early age. Her work Judith Slaying Holofernes has the reputation to be far more gory than any work of Caravaggio.

Susanna and the Elders, 1610, Schloss Weissenstein,
http://spenceralley.blogspot.com/2019/03/artemisia-gentileschi-1593-1654-rome.html

Artemisia was raped in 1611, by a close friend of her father. Instead of becoming weak, during a time where women were merely accompany men, rather than have such bold statements as she created with the details in psychology of the emotion and realism with the almost life-like account of a woman slicing the throat of a man who is taking something so valuable to her. The correlation is almost obvious. She makes her statements in art, and she is the first to have a subtle activism about women's rights and mistreatment in her art.

With Respect,

http://spenceralley.blogspot.com/2019/03/artemisia-gentileschi-1593-1654-rome.html

“Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples.” Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples, 1 Jan. 1970, http://spenceralley.blogspot.com/2019/03/artemisia-gentileschi-1593-1654-rome.html.Blankestijn. 

“‘Susanna and the Elders’ by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings).” "Susanna and the Elders" by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings), 

https://adblankestijn.blogspot.com/2013/10/and-elders-by-artemisia-gentileschi.html.Camara, Esperança, and Esperança Camara. “Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Slaying Holofernes.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/gentileschi-judith-slaying-holofernes/.

“Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples.” Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples, 1 Jan. 1970, http://spenceralley.blogspot.com/2019/03/artemisia-gentileschi-1593-1654-rome.html.

Blankestijn. “‘Susanna and the Elders’ by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings).” "Susanna and the Elders" by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings), https://adblankestijn.blogspot.com/2013/10/and-elders-by-artemisia-gentileschi.html.

Camara, Esperança, and Esperança Camara. “Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Slaying Holofernes.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/gentileschi-judith-slaying-holofernes/.

“Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples.” Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples, 1 Jan. 1970, http://spenceralley.blogspot.com/2019/03/artemisia-gentileschi-1593-1654-rome.html.

Blankestijn. “‘Susanna and the Elders’ by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings).” "Susanna and the Elders" by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings), https://adblankestijn.blogspot.com/2013/10/and-elders-by-artemisia-gentileschi.html.

Camara, Esperança, and Esperança Camara. “Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Slaying Holofernes.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/gentileschi-judith-slaying-holofernes/.

“Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples.” Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples, 1 Jan. 1970, http://spenceralley.blogspot.com/2019/03/artemisia-gentileschi-1593-1654-rome.html.

Blankestijn. “‘Susanna and the Elders’ by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings).” "Susanna and the Elders" by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings), https://adblankestijn.blogspot.com/2013/10/and-elders-by-artemisia-gentileschi.html.

Camara, Esperança, and Esperança Camara. “Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Slaying Holofernes.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/gentileschi-judith-slaying-holofernes/.

“Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples.” Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654) - Rome, Florence, Naples, 1 Jan. 1970, http://spenceralley.blogspot.com/2019/03/artemisia-gentileschi-1593-1654-rome.html.

Blankestijn. “‘Susanna and the Elders’ by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings).” "Susanna and the Elders" by Artemisia Gentileschi (Stories behind Paintings), https://adblankestijn.blogspot.com/2013/10/and-elders-by-artemisia-gentileschi.html.

Camara, Esperança, and Esperança Camara. “Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Slaying Holofernes.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/gentileschi-judith-slaying-holofernes/.

Art, God, and Intellect, The Humanist Effect on England

Cardinal Cajetan examines Martin Luther and his writings in Augsburg, Germany, 1518. Lutherhaus, Eisenach, Germany. Bridgeman Images

Northern Europe benefited artistically and intellectually during the spread of Humanism. The radical drive for education, rebellion by secular art, and courageous feat to become independent from the Catholic Church all can be thanked to Humanism, especially. In England, an emergence of new, fresh culture flourished alone from the introduction of books for reading. Soon advancements in Science from William Harvey, and Theological ideas that wold catalyze the Protestant Reformation. Though the reformation is not directly Humanistic, inspiration and pioneered through Humanists like Martin Luther.

Peasant Wedding. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. c1567. /www.wga.hu/html_m/b/bruegel/pieter_e/10/01weddin.html

Printing gave an avenue for all disciplines from religion to literature to flourish beyond a local level. The printing press is highly credited for the works of greats like Montaigne and Machiavelli being distributed through Europe. Reformation leaders could spread ideas widely through Europe, and be confident that it will be read due to there now being hard copy available. The amount and availability books increased literacy across Europe,

Humanism thrived during this period due to the access to books and education, which lead to higher literacy rates. Some of the most brilliant works would come about such as plays, pamphlets, and essays. The printing press, obviously used to create bibles galore, gave the people the ability not depend on the Catholic Church for scholarship of the bible. To be able to study the bible independently, helped harvest more seeds on intellectual growth and understanding of the scriptures which would cause one of the most incredible revolutions in the world. The Reformation.

With respect to resources:

Cunningham, Lawrence and John Reich, eds. Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities. Vol 2.              Wadsworth, 2005.

Femininity's Contribution to The High Renaissance - Sofonisba Anguissola

The divinely talented Sofonisba Anguissola created The Chess Game in 1555. This is truly a masterpiece, especially considering her intricate detail and approximate dimensions on the characters created. Dawned in the height of the High Renaissance, Sofonisba would become one of the first women to create such brilliant and world renowned works of art to be cherished by all, including Michelangelo. Women are not spoke much of, and she definitely deserves recognition on a more mainstream basis. 

Anguissola, Sofonisba. The Chess Game. 1555. Museum Naradowe. Sofonisba Anguissola - The Chess Game.https://favourite-paintings.blogspot.com/2011/03/sofonisba-anguissola-chess-game.html

The chess game is described to be a like cartoon in portrait of her younger sisters, Sofonisba is the eldest of of six, playing what appears to be a game of chess. Off the left of the portrait is believed to be a servant over looking the children. Her art is so precise and organic that you are put in the position to image a young lady behind the canvas, as she overlooks her sisters enjoy a game while being candid for the portrait to come. The chemistry is captured here so immaculately between them, and the artist.

http://web-archives.mansfield.edu/~art/Papyrus2AnnabellaLajuzensofonisba_anguissola_the.htm

                                                  

                                                             Anguissola, Sofonisba. Three Children with Dog. circa 1570-1590. Meisterwerke                                                        der Maleri. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sofonisba_Anguissola_001.jpg

"I must relate... in the house of Sofonisba's father at Cremona, a picture executed by her hand with great diligence, portraits of her three sisters... who appear truly alive... executed so well that they appear to be breathing.." (Vasari, Giorgio 77). The famous Italian artist Giorgio Vasari made a personal trip to the home of which Anguissola, the daughter of a noble family, to see the "marvels" of the six sisters.

Cunningham, Lawrence and John Reich, eds. Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities. Vol 2. Wadsworth, 2005.

https://favourite-paintings.blogspot.com/2011/03/sofonisba-anguissola-chess-game.html

Islamic Hues woven in the Renaissance

The Ottoman empire has a very beautiful part in the Renaissance. The Crash Course: The Renaissance, Was It a Thing? video, while trying to persuade against the idea of a Renaissance, really sparked an interest in myself to explore their essence during this time in history. When it comes to art, especially the art of Sandro Botticelli, the hues of bright reds that give that regal vibrancy can be attributed to the Ottoman presence. Especially in the works of art that come out of Florence in the 15th century.

https://youtu.be/Vufba_ZcoR0

Attributed to Botticelli, Portrait of Montefeltro & Landino with a small pattern Holbein carpet /https://hali.com/news/sultans-world-ottoman-orient-renaissance-art/

The text from the Module does not mention the Ottoman empire, however it does talk about Florence being the center of trade of things like wool, and the famous banking families who would have been key in trading with the Ottomans. In fact, without the Ottomans Venice, and probably Italy in general, would not have had the money to even have the Renaissance so strong in all its variety there. Art, written, idealism, construct and drawn, has an influence of Islam with the fancy clothes and mathematical concepts.

Calumny of Apelles, tempera on panel by Sandro Botticelli, 1490s; in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence/

• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sandro-Botticelli/Secular-patronage-and-works#/media/1/75231/116194

..

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sandro-Botticelli/Secular-patronage-and-works
Cunningham, Lawrence and John Reich, eds. Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities. Vol 2. Wadsworth, 2005.