Artemisia Gentileschi was faced with, in her eyes, an easy option. A life as a nun or a life of making paint for her father’s pieces. As she slowly becomes one of Rome’s talented (and also unknown) painters, she meets a new instructor, an attractive young man who is skilled in the art of painting. But life in 1610 Rome was not easy for a young woman, and as Artemisia is raped by her instructor, she faces more options. Live a life of silence and fear or live a life of truth and judgement from others. And for Artemisia, the option was easy.
Tears. Literal tears. Blood Water Paint is written entirely in poetry, with short excerpts of another woman who is facing the same issue as Artemisia. Both of their stories are unknown to the public, but the impact is still clear. Joy McCullough’s beautiful descriptions and details are so admirable, and the line of “I will show you what a woman can do” brings chills down my spine. In a city where women are often an afterthought, Artemisia was clearly the exception with her brave personality and unwillingness to allow criminals to get away with their actions. I don’t read poetry often, but when I do, it instantly becomes my favorite genre. This is definitely a must-read for others and I hope that more stories of lesser-known individuals come to light. And if the stories are written in poetry, then I will 100% make sure to read it.