30-DAY MEME: DAY 17

[jenni_blog]

day 01 → your favourite song
day 02 → your favourite movie
day 03 → your favourite television program
day 04 → your favourite book
day 05 → your favourite quote
day 06 → whatever tickles your fancy
day 07 → a photo that makes you happy
day 08 → a photo that makes you angry/sad
day 09 → a photo you took
day 10 → a photo of you taken over ten years ago
day 11 → a photo of you taken recently
day 12 → whatever tickles your fancy
day 13 → a fictional book
day 14 → a non-fictional book
day 15 → a fanfic
day 16 → a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
day 17 → an art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
day 18 → whatever tickles your fancy
day 19 → a talent of yours
day 20 → a hobby of yours
day 21 → a recipe
day 22 → a website
day 23 → a YouTube video
day 24 → whatever tickles your fancy
day 25 → your day, in great detail
day 26 → your week, in great detail
day 27 → this month, in great detail
day 28 → this year, in great detail
day 29 → hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
day 30 → whatever tickles your fancy



This is "Judith Beheading Holofernes" by my favourite artist, Artemisia Gentileschi. c. 1621



Artemisia was a tremendously talented painter who studied under Caravaggio. She was known for her use of chiaroscuro (use of the contrast between light and dark). She was raped by a teacher (not Caravaggio) and from that time onwards most of her paintings depicted women doing violent acts against men. If you are interested in knowing more about Artemisia, here is a link to her website:

http://www.artemisia-gentileschi.com/index.shtml

Comments

[aglaiya.livejournal.com]

Interesting but not my thing.

You are ALWAYS surprising!

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

From the moment I discovered her, I found her compelling. It's her whole story, taking place almost 400 years ago, and of a woman with some measure of power, beaten down by men who stole her body, her identity and almost her dignity. I studied art and art history and while I admire many other painters, this one grabbed me the most.

[aglaiya.livejournal.com]

I like some old paintings too. I have read some books and found it interesting but I don't like the dark aspects of the paintings. I like the more the brighter colours.
I can understand why she was painting in that way but don't like it.

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

OMG I LOVE your blue icon! Is that from 'Avatar'? It's awesome! And it reminds me that I need some new 'non-football' icons!

[aglaiya.livejournal.com]

Its 'Avatar' tomorrow I'll go and watch it!

[bonorattle.livejournal.com]

You're taking me back to my Art History days. I love it.

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

I totally love art history. I wish I more time to study it again.

[txorakeriak.livejournal.com]

Considering the artist's personal history, I can understand why she painted stuff like that, but seriously, the motif is horrible. *shudders*

By the way, in case anyone is interested, this is Caravaggio's version of the scene.

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

I just found Artemisia incredibly compelling. Her life story fascinated me. I think she is amazingly talented, although like it says in her website that a lot of her work was attributed to other (male) artists. That she competed in a man's world almost 400 years ago fascinates me no end.

Yes, the painting is violent, but upon studying it, there is no blood, it looks to be taking place before the act, but is no less shocking for the brutality of the man being attacked reaching up with his fist as big as the woman's face to attack her in self-defense. For me it says volumes about the futility of a woman trying to compete against men. I can only imagine how truly alone she was during such a time in history.

Thanks for showing the Caravaggio version! My god, I was horrified to see how he portrayed Judith as a sexual object, complete with inflated, 21st-century-looking boobs! Next to Artemisia's women who are quite ordinary-looking and not at all youthful.

Thanks, Bill. I could go on and on about her, seriously.