A survivor of rape in the 17th century, Gentileschi achieved the impossible: successful prosecution against her rapist, Agostino Tassi. Being the daughter of famous painter Orazio Gentileschi certainly facilitated this judgement, yet even so she was subject to brutal torture, cross examination, and slander through a civil trial. Ultimately, Tassi was declared GUILTY. It’s wild how little things have changed since then, a time when people never bathed and one could be accused of being a witch for braiding their hair. Anyways, Gentileschi created her famous work “Judith Slaying Holofernes” just a few years after the trial, modeling the features of Judith and Holofernes after herself and Tassi, respectively.

The inclusion of the handmaiden is significant as during her own assault, her handmaiden kept watch at the door rather than assist her in escape. Changing the narrative to empowerment and solidarity after experiencing abandonment and betrayal Sends A Message: WE NEED TO HAVE EACH OTHER’S BACKS. PROTECT YOUR FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY. SUPPORT, BELIEVE, AND PRIORITIZE SURVIVORS. CONFRONT THE RAPISTS YOU KNOW. BE ACCOUNTABLE. PRACTICE CONSENT. CHANGE STARTS INSIDE OF US.