Thomas More & Artemisia Gentileschi

Ailish Fallon & Abby McCarthy4/4/14

World History I HonorsMs. RossPeriod:1

Part I: Thomas More

Early Life

• Born on February 7th, 1478 on Milk St. in London, England

• Thomas More’s father was a prominent judge known as Sir John

More; his mother pretty much raised him, she is known as

Agnes More.

• At age 14, Thomas went to Oxford University to study Latin and

Logic.

• Thomas had many occupations including, a lawyer, social

philosopher, author, statesman, and a Renaissance humanist.

Literary Works: Utopia• Utopia means an imagined place or

state of things in which everything is perfect. This book helped to define the meaning.

• Most scholars view Utopia as some kind of comment or criticism of modern European society, because the villains of More's time are vividly described in Book I, and in many ways the issues are solved in Book II. Although, Utopia has many of the characteristics of irony, and there are many jokes and sardonic asides; these are usually distinguished with the simple, uncomplicated society of the Utopians.

Map of Utopia

Portrait of Thomas More

Trial & Execution• Thomas More was beheaded

on July 6, 1535. • His final words were: "The

king's good servant, but God's first.“

• Thomas More was blessed in 1886 and canonized by the Catholic Church as a saint in 1935.

• He has been considered a "Reformation martyr" by the Church of England.

Thomas More’s Effects on the 21st Century

St. Thomas College

Humanists of Britain Symbol

Shark Utopia Socialism Symbol

Part II: Artemisia Gentileschi

Early Life• Born on July 8th, 1583 in Rome, Italy• Because her mother died when she was 12, Artemisia and her

brothers were raised by their famous father Orazio Gentileschi who was also a famous painter

• At the age of 17, Artemisia was raped Agostino Tassi: her art teacher. When Artemisia tried to press charges, no punishment was inflicted on the man. This led to a depression that provided inspiration for many of her major works, especially Susanna and the Elders.

• Despite her apparent talent, Gentileschi was not accepted into art school until after she was married due to her gender

Susanna and the EldersOne of the most famous pieces by Artemisia Gentileschi was Susanna and the Elders. This was her first painting, and it was inspired by sexual assault she experienced that same year. It can be characterized as Renaissance art by its detailed background, heavy emotion, and nudity. The people in the painting are all in motion, and are painted to model that of a real person.

Susanna and the Elders

Judith Slaying HolofernesThis scene portrays a biblical scene in which Judith, a Jew, slays her suitor Holofernes. This is another example of how sexual assault influenced Gentileschi’s works. The female protagonist is has control over the situation and is eliminating the antagonist. You can tell that this is Renaissance art by the heavy emotions and rich colors portrayed.

Judith SLAYing Holofernes

Other Major Works

Self Portrait as the Allegory of Painting (17)

The Birth of St. John the Baptist

Cleopatra

Madonna and Child

Later Life and Legacy• Artemisia married Pietro Antonio de Vicenzo Stiattesi- another

painter. • Despite having a child, the couple had such an unhappy

marriage that Gentileschi spent much time away from home. This allowed her to focus on her career.

• Gentileschi spent the rest of her days painting and it is believed she died in 1652 in Naples, Italy. The reason is unknown, but it is believed she is a victim of the great pestilence that stuck Naples in 1656.

• Despite being female, Gentileschi is remembered as one of the greatest painters of the Renaissance Era. However, she is most recognized for making women the protagonists of all her major works.

Compare and ContrastThomas More:

• English Lawyer, Social Philosopher, Author,

Statesman, Renaissance Humanist

• Successful male of his time

• Attended Oxford University

• Beheaded • English Renaissance

and Reformation• The first person to

imagine a “perfect world”

• Raised by his mother

Artemisia Gentileschi:

• Painter• Successful Female of

her time• Received no formal

education• Nobody knows how

she died• Italian Renaissance• Based art off of

traumatic experiences and deep emotional discomfort

• Raised by her father

Similarities

• Still remembered for their works

• Religious• Both got married and

had children • Pushed society’s

limits. • Artemisia because she

was a female; Thomas with his book “Utopia”

Works Cited

• http://www.artemisia-gentileschi.com

• http://

www.biography.com/people/artemisia-gentileschi-9308725

• http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/morebio.htm

• http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-more-9414278

• http://www.britannica.com/search?query=thomas%20more