Artemisia
by Lauren Gunderson

Highlights

Female

Male

105 mins 17th Century Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes

Synopsis

Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the most celebrated female painters of the seventeenth century, yet her name was all but lost for centuries.

Assaulted and publicly shamed at just seventeen, Gentileschi lived her life on her own terms as an artist, a mother and a lover.

Artemisia was a modern woman before her time; Artemisia is a play that celebrates her artistry, courage and humanity.

Press Reviews

"While [Artemisia] Gentileschi’s life and work is often defined by her experiences with men, Gunderson’s play allows for Gentileschi to create her own narrative. Gunderson utilizes humor and deep emotion to portray Gentileschi as she really was, a strong-willed and passionate artist."
— The Badger Herald

"The savvy blend of past and present may bring to mind Tom Stoppard, especially Arcadia…Yet the collision between past and present is salient. ‘Has that much really changed?’ is the question that’s bound to occur to the audience."
— Isthmus

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
ARTEMISIA GENTILESCHI Seventeen, feisty, smart, strong, confident. Also plays PRUDENZIA FIGLIA, her daughter. Sixteen–twenties, sweet-natured and mischievous.	female	—	Seventeen, feisty, smart, strong, confident. Also plays PRUDENZIA FIGLIA, her daughter. Sixteen–twenties, sweet-natured and mischievous.
ARTEMISIA MADRE Thirties–fifty, feistier, smarter, stronger, more confident.	—	—	Thirties–fifty, feistier, smarter, stronger, more confident.
PRUDENZIA MADRE her mother. Forties, kind and steady. Also plays GRAND DUCHESS CHRISTINA OF LORRAINE. Hilarious and flighty.	female	—	her mother. Forties, kind and steady. Also plays GRAND DUCHESS CHRISTINA OF LORRAINE. Hilarious and flighty.
ORAZIO her father. Forties–sixties, like Artemisia but a man. A bit brutish and	male	—	her father. Forties–sixties, like Artemisia but a man. A bit brutish and
hasty.	—	—	—
FRANCESCO her lover and friend and confidant. Forties, a really good guy.	—	—	her lover and friend and confidant. Forties, a really good guy.