Blood Water Paint (Large Print / Library Binding)
Staff Reviews
I didn’t realize how much I could love a novel-in-verse until I read Joy McCullough’s enthralling story of Renaissance artist Artemisia Gentileschi. At age seventeen, Artemisia is the apprentice to her father, a mediocre Italian painter, and she secretly fills all his commissions. She longs to have a career of her own, and a romance with a talented young artist has her believing they will open a studio together. But he is looking for a mistress, not a wife. When Artemisia refuses him, he rapes her, and Artemisia takes the unusual step in her male-dominated society of pressing charges. An early feminist and a brilliant painter, Artemisia is such a compelling character in her determination to live life on her terms. Written for teens who will feel empowered as they root for Artemisia, but trust me, adult book clubs will spend a lively evening discussing her choices, too.
— Jenny ChouSpring 2018 Kids’ Indie Next List
“Artemisia Gentileschi was one of the greatest painters of her generation, but she also lived in 17th-century Italy, where women had no power and little recourse when wronged. When one of her father's friends assaults her, Artemisia must decide whether to keep the secret or force him to face justice, no matter the cost she'll have to pay. Written in gorgeous verse, this book is heartbreaking, brilliant, and tragically relevant today. Read this book even if you don't care about art history. Read this book even if you don't usually like verse novels or historical fiction. Just read this book. It will haunt you.”
— Lillian Tschudi-Campbell, The Red Balloon Bookshop, Saint Paul, MN
