–review by Kara, teen reviewer
The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland
This book is about the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, a painter living in 17th century Italy. While this book doesn’t cover her life from birth to death, it covers all of the important parts.
It’s a work of fiction, but it seems realistic. Even though I didn’t live in 17th century Italy and am not a fervent painter, I can sympathize with Artemisia. Despite the 400 year time gap, most of her issues are still relevant today. Her victories seems like your own. Her struggles make you want to slap her adversaries across the face.
This story isn’t happy, it’s based on Artemisia’s life. It doesn’t follow the usual plot path of most fiction books. It’s similar to biographical books in that there is no set antagonist, beginning, middle, or end.
The writing is great. As I’ve already said, I am not artists or even, an art enjoyer. But this book still has the power to make you care about art. It starts to paint a picture (ha) of the craze and burning an artists feels to create art. It is enchanting and captivating.
Overall I recommend it to anyone who wants to read about what it was like to be one of the only female painters in the art center of the world, but not if you don’t particularly like biographical books (although I have to say this is a pretty good one). –Kara, teen reviewer
Find the book in our library: Passion of Artemisia