Bathsheba Bathing
David and Bathsheba, c.1636-7
Artemisia Gentileschi
The Old Testament story of Bathsheba being spotted by King David while bathing was, like Susannah, often used as the vehicle for an erotic portrayal of a beautiful young woman. Underplaying the scene's sensuality by concealing Bathsheba's nudity, Artemisia instead emphasises her graceful interaction with her attendants. As was habitual in Naples, Artemisia made use of two specialist collaborators in this ambitious work: Viviano Codazzi (about 1604-16670) for the architecture and Domenico Gargiulo for the landscape.
[National Gallery]
From Artemisia
(October 2020 to January 2021)
"I will show Your Illustrious Lordship what a woman can do"
In 17th-century Europe, at a time when women artists were not easily accepted, Artemisia was exceptional. She challenged conventions and defied expectations to become a successful artist and one of the greatest storytellers of her time.
Artemisia painted subjects that were traditionally the preserve of male artists and for the male gaze; transforming meek maidservants into courageous conspirators and victims into survivors.
In this first major exhibition of Artemisia’s work in the UK, see her best-known paintings including two versions of her iconic and viscerally violent ‘Judith beheading Holofernes’; as well as her self portraits, heroines from history and the Bible, and recently discovered personal letters, seen in the UK for the first time.
[National Gallery]
Bathsheba Bathing
David and Bathsheba, c.1636-7
Artemisia Gentileschi
The Old Testament story of Bathsheba being spotted by King David while bathing was, like Susannah, often used as the vehicle for an erotic portrayal of a beautiful young woman. Underplaying the scene's sensuality by concealing Bathsheba's nudity, Artemisia instead emphasises her graceful interaction with her attendants. As was habitual in Naples, Artemisia made use of two specialist collaborators in this ambitious work: Viviano Codazzi (about 1604-16670) for the architecture and Domenico Gargiulo for the landscape.
[National Gallery]
From Artemisia
(October 2020 to January 2021)
"I will show Your Illustrious Lordship what a woman can do"
In 17th-century Europe, at a time when women artists were not easily accepted, Artemisia was exceptional. She challenged conventions and defied expectations to become a successful artist and one of the greatest storytellers of her time.
Artemisia painted subjects that were traditionally the preserve of male artists and for the male gaze; transforming meek maidservants into courageous conspirators and victims into survivors.
In this first major exhibition of Artemisia’s work in the UK, see her best-known paintings including two versions of her iconic and viscerally violent ‘Judith beheading Holofernes’; as well as her self portraits, heroines from history and the Bible, and recently discovered personal letters, seen in the UK for the first time.
[National Gallery]