[NEohioPAL] Artemisia at The Alcazar on Monday, May 3

[Jean Seitter Cummins]

Renaissance Italy was a man’s world but the painter Artemisia Gentileschi learned to play by its rules, first as an apprentice in her father’s studio in Rome and then at the court of the Medicis in Florence.  First Mondays presents a reading of Artemisia, a play by Jean Cummins, adapted from the novel by Alexandra Pierre, on Monday, May 3 at 7 p.m. in the historic Alcazar, 2450 Derbyshire, at the top of Cedar Hill in Cleveland Heights.

Sally Groth, Michael Regnier, Nick Koesters, Courtney Nelson and Agnes Herrmann are featured in this story of ambition and betrayal.  Under her father’s tutelage, the precocious Artemisia seems headed for a life of artistic accomplishment until she is raped by his partner the notorious Agostino Tassi.  To win back her good name, Artemisia and her father must battle their way through the papal courts and win the most scandalous law suit of the day.

Her skill and her courage win the admiration of prelates and nobles alike and soon she is settled in Florence, ready to launch a career as a painter that will span four decades and make her one of the most sought after artists of the Renaissance.  Art historian Patricia Ashton will discuss the work of both Artemisia and her father Orazio immediately following the reading.

Admission is $5 at the door. Parking is available on the street and in the metered city lot just off Cedar Road at Derbyshire.  Call 321-5400 on the day of the program to arrange handicapped parking in the Alcazar Garage.


Contact Jean Cummins at (216) 896-8411 or 371-5620