Artemisia Gentileschi
The protagonist, a talented female painter in 17th century Italy who struggles against the discrimination and obstacles of her time to gain recognition for her art.

Orazio Gentileschi
Artemisia's father, also a painter who initially trains and supports her artistic pursuits.

Agostino Tassi
A painter who rapes Artemisia and is later put on trial, a traumatic event that shapes her life and art.

Tuzia
Artemisia's mother who dies when she is young.

Minor Characters
The novel also features minor female characters like Umiliana, Fina, Vanna, Renata, and Paola, who represent different aspects of womanhood that influence Artemisia's perspectives.

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Artemisia's Rape Trial
The novel opens with the 1612 trial where the 18-year-old Artemisia publicly accuses her painting teacher Agostino Tassi of raping her. Despite being tortured during the trial to verify her testimony, she maintains her accusation against Tassi. This harrowing experience shapes Artemisia's life and art going forward.

Life as a Female Painter
The book explores the immense challenges Artemisia faced as one of the first prominent female painters during the Renaissance/Baroque period. She had to fight against the societal constraints and sexism of her time to pursue her passion for art.

Marriage and Motherhood
After the rape trial, Artemisia's father arranges a marriage for her to Pietro Stiattesi. The novel depicts her struggles to balance her artistic ambitions with the realities of being a wife and mother in 17th century Italy.

Artistic Journey
The book follows Artemisia's artistic journey as she moves from Rome to Florence, Genoa, Venice and back, painting for patrons like the Medici family. Her encounters with historical figures like Galileo and development of her unique style are portrayed.

Themes of Passion, Resilience and Feminism
Overarching themes include Artemisia's passion for art, resilience in the face of trauma and oppression, and her pioneering role as a feminist challenging patriarchal norms of the era through her art and life choices.

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The novel received generally positive reviews for its vivid portrayal of Artemisia's life, struggles, and artistic genius. Critics appreciated Vreeland's meticulous research and her ability to bring Artemisia's world to life, capturing the challenges faced by a female artist in the male-dominated art scene of 17th-century Italy.

Readers and critics often praise the novel for its exploration of themes such as feminism, artistry, and the intersection of personal and professional life. It delves into Artemisia's tumultuous relationships, her passion for painting, and the societal obstacles she had to overcome.

Overall, "The Passion of Artemisia" is considered a compelling work of historical fiction that not only educates readers about Artemisia Gentileschi's life and art but also provokes thought about gender dynamics in art history and society.

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