ARTEMISIA has everything! Art, feminism, lots of swearing, sex, an Italian duke, good writing - what else could you possibly want? Artemisia's life and the stories her paintings tell are deliciously woven together in this story about a real-life artist from 17th century Italy. ARTEMISIA has a long life ahead of it and will definitely help keep Lauren Gunderson on the "most-produced" lists where she belongs!

I had the opportunity to watch the digital recording of the World Premiere of ARTEMISIA made available by the Forward Theatre. I was familiar with Artemisia's Judith and the details of her life that are often associated with the painting. Lauren Gunderson's play opens up the life of Artemisia Gentileschi and reminds us that she is a complicated individual and so much more than the reductive narrative we hear about her. I was struck by how much I identified with Artemisia's struggles as a woman and an artist and trying to maintain authenticity in both of those aspects of self.

I had the joy to see Artemisia on opening night. Lauren skillfully tells the story of Artemisia, an incredible artist, mother, and woman who perseveres through events that might cause others to give up. The play makes you laugh and it makes you cry. The relationship between Artemisia and her father feels particularly real. Their relationship is flawed, they use each other, and they yell at each other, but in the end, they love each other.