Artemisia Gentileschi: The woman behind the paintings

Get to know the story of Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the most accomplished artists of the 17th century.

The biblical story of the heroine Judith slaying the brutal Holofernes is featured in countless works of art, including the Sistine Chapel. But the most iconic depiction was painted by an artist who tackled this ambitious scene when she was just 19 years old. Her name was Artemisia Gentileschi. So who was Artemisia, and what sets her depiction apart from the rest? Allison Leigh investigates.