Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1653) was an Italian Baroque painter, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential artists of her time. Born in Rome, she was the daughter of the painter Orazio Gentileschi and received her early training in his workshop. Artemisia gained fame for her exceptional skill in depicting the human form and her ability to convey complex emotional states. She was one of the first women to be accepted into the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence and had a successful career that spanned several decades and cities, including Rome, Florence, and Naples.

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Gentileschi is best known for her dramatic and often graphic depictions of biblical and mythological subjects, featuring strong and suffering women. Her most famous work, "Judith Slaying Holofernes," is celebrated for its vivid realism and emotional intensity. Gentileschi's art was groundbreaking not just for its technical skill but also for the way it challenged the conventions of the time, particularly the traditional portrayal of female subjects.