Artemisia Gentileschi is a painter from the Italian Renaissance. Her story is one of tragedy and strength. She is left motherless at a young age and goes to work in her father's studio. Soon she is the better painter of the two even though he takes credit for her work. She becomes the pupil of Agostino Tassi and welcomes his attentions as first. Then he uses his position and power to rape her believing he will get away with it. Artemisia is not your typical 16th century woman however. She and her father bring Tassi to trial and win. Artemisia is claimed innocent but not before her hands are destroyed by the sibyl. She perseveres and becomes a painter of renown. 

Artemisia's story is told in verse and the sparseness of the language makes her story even more hard to read. Interspersed amongst Artemisia's chapters are the stories of Judith and Susanna as told by her mother. These chapters are told in prose and the difference makes the telling stronger and more important. Three powerful women who had to stand up for themselves when no one else would. They defied the odds and saved themselves.