TW: Mention of Sexual Assault and Rape

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

When I was in the 8th grade, my Humanities teacher assigned my class to form a debate on who we thought should be the fifth Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. It was up to us to decide who, amongst all the greats of the Renaissance, was the most worthy of fighting alongside Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Rafael. I decided that it was time to introduce a female turtle to the gang, and thus began my search for the most impactful woman of the Renaissance. In this journey, I discovered Artemisia Gentileschi.

An Artist’s History

Artemisia Gentileschi was a prodigal Italian Baroque Painter who began her professional career at the young age of 15 after studying under her father, Orazio Gentileschi. In the 17th century, there were very few prolific female artists. Artemisia was one of the first to break barriers and was the first woman to obtain membership in the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence.

Perfecting the Feminine Beauty

Artemisia frequently portrayed women in her art, inspired by figures from mythology and biblical references. Furthermore, her art pushed boundaries because she was unafraid to show women bearing dominance over men. Many speculate this was her way of liberating herself after she was sexually assaulted by painter Tassi at the age of 18.

Gentileschi is renowned for her ability to accurately and beautifully represent femininity without depriving them of power, a theme frequent in the Renaissance. By presenting these women in power and in unconventional scenes for women at the time, Gentileschi not only provided herself a reprieve from her own trauma but created art that resonated with women, past and present.

An Important Legacy

While it’s a little silly that I discovered this amazing artist through quite unconventional means, I’m grateful that I was able to experience her art. Many years later, Artemisia Gentileschi remains one of my favourite artists because of her deep romantic colour palettes and emotional composition. I believe her works deserve to be even more recognized. Often, Gentileschi’s traumatic past is at the forefront of discussions about her art, and while it unequivocally played a role in her career, we should focus on the artist rather than her oppressors.

Artemisia is a symbol of feminism, a woman who refused to be silenced during a time when men were praised for having half the skills and talents that women did. Her legacy lives on today whenever a young artist picks up a paintbrush and decides to speak of their story rather than letting it fade away.