Artemisia Gentileschi, Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting, 1638/39. Oil on canvas. Royal Collection, London, GB.
This portrait is one of Artemisia's most notable paintings, meant to be a portrait not only of herself but also of the Allegory of Painting (Pittura) the originator of the art of painting. She portrays herself with disheveled hair, as an artist might have when lost in the intoxication of creativity.
This painting reveals Artemisia's
masterfully use of colour, both in flesh tones and
the dress. Her face is natural and realistic, painted with careful
attention to detail. As a woman, Artemisia was not able to use male
models for her subjects, and only infrequently able to use female
models. As a result, she often had to use her own features and body as
a source of inspiration. Her aim is clearly to reveal her own talent
as an artist.