A Closer Look: Episode 7 - Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith Slaying Holofernes

Many of us are familiar with the tragic events of Artemisia Gentileschi's youth, when she was assaulted by her painting tutor and suffered through a trial that saw her put to the thumbscrews to verify her testimony. But we're perhaps less familiar with the professional triumphs that followed closely on this difficult period, when Artemisia - who only took up a brush at 16, according to her father Orazio - moved to Florence and became a highly accomplished and sought-after painter.

In this episode of A Closer Look, Dr Kathleen Olive examines Artemisia's Judith Beheading Holofernes, now in the Capodimonte Museum in Naples. A popular scene in the seventeenth century, the scene as presented by Artemisia gives us great insight into her artistic innovations, the way in which she strengthened her professional reputation, and even something of her complex character.

Content note: sexual assault

Zoom in here.

Kathleen Olive

Kathleen is one of Australia’s best-known cultural tour leaders, with over fifteen years’ experience leading tours to Western Europe, North America, Australasia and Japan. 

Kathleen is particularly known for her expertise in Italy, and she holds a PhD in Italian Studies from the University of Sydney. She lived and studied in Italy for a number of years, has published her research in highly-regarded academic journals, and speaks fluent Italian. 
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