Artemisia's House

Artemisia lives in a house with her family in the center of Rome. She grows up in the house with her mother and father. When her mother is alive, they all live happily together in the house, which Prudentia takes care of. After Prudentia dies, the house falls slowly into disrepair. The corners are full of dust and there is little natural light that enters through the grimy windows. Mice populate the kitchen and bedrooms. Artemisia shares a bedroom with the family's servant, Tuzia. Her father and brothers have their own rooms. Artemisia is not allowed to leave the house by herself by dictate of Roman culture, which insists that women must remain in their home unless accompanied.

The Studio

The studio is located above Artemisia's house and is accessed through a stairwell that goes up from the kitchen. Artemisia spends most of her life in the...