Women's Roles and Artemisia Gentileschi

When first learning about Artemisia Gentileschi's works there was a lot that came to mind. Her works have the stark use of light noticeable of a classic baroque artist of her time and have violent themes, something which is common and one of the best elements of the baroque period. However the most noticeable aspect of her work is the role of women. 

We know of women's role in western art throughout time very well from the purity of the virgin mary, to the naive yet sinful eve. Women are portrayed through one singular role. In this case Mary has a role as mother and even role as traitor. This role haunts the theme throughout the composition, Mary sits above baby Jesus as she looks down, holding him and protecting him.  

Artemisia subverts these expectations by placing women in roles traditionally held by men. These roles are far more multifaceted and descriptive, as seen in the two paintings I will discuss: Jael and Sisera and Judith and Holofernes.

Jael and Sisera

Telling the story of Sisera, who is a defeated Canaanite general, entered Jael's home for protection and rest. However Jael, fearing what the soldier could do afterward, took it upon herself to kill Sisera by driving a ten peg through his head. 

This artwork depicts the moment right before the brutal act. Many things in this scene are interesting but what first draws the viewer's eye is Jael's hand. Her hand is the topmost object in the composition. It's so nice that the first thing you get to see is the action of the female protagonist of the artwork. 

On the other hand Sisera is on the bottom. Sleeping in the fetal position is a posture reminiscent of a child. With his sword lying on the ground. In this moment Jael is truly defenceless to the. Ironically the robes Sisera wears are the classic blue of the virgin mary, further enforcing how innocent and weak Sisera is to this attack. However Artemisia doesn't continue to make Jael outright evil either. Her expression is almost solemn and tired. Her exasperated look combined with her rolled up sleeves and tied up hair show a woman with a tough job. Overall this artwork gives a look of a multifaceted woman who is neither evil nor moral. We see her for her tough decisions and choices. 

Judith and Holofernes

Judith and Holofernes is a set of two artworks. Which recounts the story of Judith, a jewish widow who enters the tent of an Assyrian general and decapitates him. She does this in response to him planning to kill his home. Many believe that this artwork is a response to her trial with Antonio Tussi. Where she as raped by her teacher antiono in her Home.  This painting was made directly after the trial. 

We can clearly see how artemisa portrays judith and her maid as more realised fleshed out characters in a simple comparison to her predecessor Caravaggio's portrayal of the same movement.

Judith and her mother are more involved in the action of decapitating. With the light focusing on all of their hands emphasising the effort required to kill Holoferences. Making Judith herself more involved in her own actions. Judith and her maid are also placed atop holofernes, symbolically in a position of power standing atop him as she kills him and.

This simple change in composition changes the entire way we perceive the moment. Rather than an effortless swish of the blade, Artemisia's portrayal shows  both the women as active participants in the murder while still showing the women's struggle and worried expressions.