The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox
This week’s photo has us inside what appears to be an art gallery with blue walls. Hanging from a square light fixture are red and golden ornaments. There are canvasses on the blue wall. One painting is of a floral arrangement. To the left there’s another section with red wall.
Click the artistic frog to join. (Thanks, Keith)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100 (Not counting the lengthy title 😉 )
“MY ILLUSTRIOUS LORDSHIP, I’LL SHOW YOU WHAT A WOMAN CAN DO”
With pigment-stained hands, her revered mentor seized her breast. “You have a gift, child.”
Seventeen-year-old Artemisia clawed his cheek and writhed to escape his grasp.
His relentless laughter echoed in her ears as he thrust himself into her. Despite her anguished cries, no one rescued her.
***
The gallery guide points out the drama in Artemisia Gentileschi’s vibrant paintings depicting strong women. In her second rendering of “Judith Beheading Holofernes” the red-hot intensity on the heroine’s face is palpable.
Did Artemisia pay back her assailant on canvas?
Agostino Tassi may have stolen the flower of her youth, but not her gift.
- The title is a quote from the artist. Apropo, dontcha think? 😉
*Vindication on Canvas*
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
an intriguing speculation, Rochelle
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Thank you, Neil. Glad you found it so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You handled this with so much grace. I wonder sometimes if in the event there is a creator- if they are ever going to notice this design flaw in the males of the species…
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Dear Violet,
Some men do seem to think with the second brain, don’t they? Thank you for your kind comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, what a great piece of writing. I didn’t know any of that, so as always your stories are a history lesson.
Have a great week!
David
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Dear David,
If I’d stayed awake in Art History in college perhaps I would’ve learned of her muche sooner. 😉 Happy to pass it along. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Her experience with the “Master” certainly did not let it define her life. Quite a talented artist. I can imagine her “beheading” picture was her revenge.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Dear Jan,
Vindication on canvas. No real bloodshed but certainly resolution. 😉
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Well, that went dark fast.
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Dear James,
Dark subject.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, we wrote to that painting at dVerse before, and I remember how much I admired it. Now I know why! Thank you for telling the rest of the story on this one.
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Dear Lisa,
She was an amazing painter, wasn’t she? Learning the stories behind her work–bonus! Thank you and thank of the inspiring photo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
Yes, she is. I think there was an exhibit of her work going on in the UK at the time of the dVerse ekphrastic iirc.
You are welcome x 2 ❤
Shalom,
Lisa
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Sometimes I want to cheer women like this one for all they’ve overcome. Sometimes, I’m up for a bit of beheading myself. Maybe both.
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Dear Jen,
Oh I think Sr. Tassi more than had it coming. 😉 Thank you for the cheers.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A perfect title for this interesting story. I’m not contributing this week as I’m currently in Poland, but thanks for giving Froggie another outing!
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Dear Keith,
That was one froggy I just had to snag. Thank you for it. And thank you re my story.
I’ve seen your comments to Lisa about Poland. Sobering? I’m guessing you toured Auschwitz? At any rate, hope you’re back safe and sound.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did indeed, Rochelle. Auschwitz, Birkenau, Schindler’s Factory and the Krakow Ghetto, experiences I’ll never forget. I’ll let you know when I post my photographs incase you are interested in seeing them – distressing as some might seem.
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That was fascinating – brilliant women artists!
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Many thanks, Chris.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing action and revenge caught on oil and canvas.
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Dear James,
Not doubt the painting was cathartic for her. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The power of the brush to create what was felt from that salacious behavior from that boar. Yikes … flashback for me. A step uncle, when I was 10, was always trying to lure all of us nieces to him. YUCK!!! Eventually, he was given jail time. Well done, mi amiga.
Izzy 😎
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Querida Izzy,
I’m so sorry that happened to you. Glad the step uncle did time. Sounds like he needed something else cut off.
Shalom y muchos abrazos,
Rochelle
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Yes, he should have had some parts removed. Thankfully I wasn’t one he took an interest in other than to say salacious disgusting things and then laugh, but one of my cousins was a victim. A very, very bad man 😩
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what a talented artist she was and a strong resilient woman – I was suprised to learn that her rapist was actually convicted almost unheard of those days – thanks so much for sharing Rochelle 🩷
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Dear Angela,
It is gratifying that her rapist didn’t go unpunished. But oh the torture she had to endure to be believed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can imagine it must have been horrendous
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p.s. Keith, where are you? Wanted to tell you I like your froggie graphic for this week’s prompt.
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I was spending time in Poland, Lisa – thanks so much!
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Welcome Back. Did you have a good trip? You are most welcome. Your graphics always brighten FF up.
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Thanks, Lisa. I did, but it was very sobering in parts.
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Oh no. Did you write about your experience at your blog?
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A great story about yet another strong woman of history. She, at least, was recognized. And a good thing she didn’t have to marry that rapist. I wanted to reply yesterday, but got so caught up in the Wikipedia article… ;D
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Dear Gabi,
She was a strong woman as well as gifted. Glad you read on about her. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great share of another strong woman. I love it!
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My pleasure, Dawn. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was an amazing painter and must have had a extra grit to do her thing and stay strong during that era! great story this week, Rochelle.
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Dear Yvette,
She was pretty amazing. What a gift. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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xxx
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Glorious paintings. So vibrant and visceral.
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Glorious, indeed, Laurie. Thank you for stopping by,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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