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Benedictine and Franciscan Monks: Forgotten Inventors

   Usually, when we think of religious orders, these things come to mind: a cloister, an abbey, a library, prayer in solitude, detachment from the world… All this in the cradle of a period defined as "dark" by historiography up to Romanticism: the Middle Ages . In this period the monks - especially the Benedictines of the various orders - were the custodians of Judeo-Christian but also classical culture, since thanks to their patient and meticulous transcriptions as scribes we have received almost all of the Greek and Latin works which we study today. Today we are grateful to them first of all for this.   However, many do not know that many products - material and immaterial - that we consume and use every day, come from monks who, using their ingenuity nourished by a profound spirituality, invented them due to practical necessities.    Personally, I find it amazing!    Let's begin…   The heavy plow   Plows were a primary agri...
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Breaking Barriers: The Art and Struggles of Artemisia Gentileschi

  


Who is Artemisia Gentileschi?

Artemisia Gentileschi was a great artist of the 1600s, who made a name for herself thanks to her extraordinary talent and determination, despite being a woman. Daughter of Prudentia Montoni and the painter Orazio Lomi, she followed in her father's footsteps and then created her own style. Born on July 8, 1593, in Rome, she was a great artist, very underrated because she was a woman, but she continued to pursue her passion. Thanks to her talent, she became a pupil of her father, despite the rarity of women practicing trades such as painting, which were considered purely male domains.

Traumatic event that influenced her art

In 1612, she was raped by the painter Agostino Tassi, who had raped her the previous year and promised to marry her even though he was already married. Tassi was sentenced to exile, and to avoid the "disgrace," Artemisia married Pierantonio Stiattesi. This horrible event did not stop her from continuing her painting career.

The first woman admitted to a painting academy

Instead of abandoning everything, she used art to tell her story. In 1616, she became the first woman to be admitted to the Academy of Design in Florence, founded by Giorgio Vasari in 1563.

Susanna and the elders


Her works


Judith beheading Holofernes 

 

Her works are characterized by a strong emotional charge and a deep knowledge of the technique of chiaroscuro, inspired by Caravaggio. Among her most famous paintings are "Judith Beheading Holofernes" and "Susanna and the Elders." These works not only show her technical ability but also a powerful and personal interpretation of biblical and mythological subjects, often filtered through her life experiences.

The next picture shows the version made by Caravaggio, where we can spot many similarities.

Her career led her to travel extensively: she lived and worked in Rome, Venice, Naples, and London. In each city, she left her mark with her works, helping to spread her powerful and innovative style. Despite the difficulties she encountered, Artemisia managed to obtain prestigious awards and commissions, becoming a model of strength and resilience.

Danae

Artemisia Gentileschi died in 1653, leaving a significant artistic legacy. Her rediscovery in the twentieth century helped to recognize her fundamental role in the history of art, celebrating her not only as a great Baroque painter but also as a pioneer in the struggle for women’s rights. She is among the few who emerged in the art world, alongside Berthe Morisot, Frida Kahlo, Hilma af Klint, and Maria Lai, talented women who made history despite being underestimated because they were women.

Today’s Blogger

Hello, everyone! I'm Alessandra Ardizzone and I'm thrilled to contribute to Let's Blog sharing news and my thoughts with you. I sincerely hope you enjoyed what you've read, and I look forward to our next encounter. Bye for now!
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