{"id":2315,"date":"2022-07-08T10:12:24","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T10:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pridemagazines.co.uk\/stamford\/?p=858"},"modified":"2022-07-08T10:12:24","modified_gmt":"2022-07-08T10:12:24","slug":"art-in-vr-at-burghley-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pridemagazines.co.uk\/rutland-and-stamford\/highlights\/art-in-vr-at-burghley-house\/07-2022","title":{"rendered":"Art in VR at Burghley House"},"content":{"rendered":"

Extraordinary artist Artemisia Gentileschi\u2019s work comes to life at Burghley House this month in a truly unique exhibition, which takes place using virtual reality tech to place the viewer right inside the studio of the baroque artist once called \u2018The Beyonc\u00e9 of art history…\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Artemisia
Artemisia Gentileschi, self-portrait as a lute player.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s An Art Exhibition… with a difference! This month Burghley House invites you to take a trip back in time and across the ocean to Baroque Italy, without ever leaving Stamford!\u00a0Your destination is the studio of the artist variously described by \u2018the Beyonc\u00e9 of baroque art,\u2019 as \u2018art history\u2019s greatest heroine,\u2019 and as \u2018thrilling and magnificent.\u2019\u00a0Artemisia Gentileschi was born in July 1593 to Prudenzia di Ottaviano Montoni and the Tuscan painter Orazio Gentileschi, originally from Pisa, but who moved to Rome when his own work found fame.<\/p>\n

Following the death of her mother in 1605, Artemisia was raised solely by her father, who by all accounts doted on her, perhaps because the two shared a love of drawing, mixing colours and learning how to paint. By the age of 18 her father boasted that she was peerless in her field, matching \u2013 or perhaps improving upon \u2013 her father\u2019s style which was itself influenced by Caravaggio.\u00a0Artemisia\u2019s earliest surviving work is Susanna and the Elders which depicts the biblical story of the same name. But a year later, the artist was assaulted by one of her father\u2019s colleagues, the artist Tassi, and a trial ensued in which Artemisia\u2019s status as a virgin was questioned over seven harrowing months, during which she was even tortured with thumbscrews to verify her testimony.<\/p>\n

Perhaps because of this experience a huge amount of her work depicts strong or suffering women and anguish. Almost immediately after the ordeal of the trial, Artemisia moved to Florence and was the first woman to be accepted into the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno.\u00a0The artist befriended Galileo Galilei and also became familiar with music,\u00a0theatre and fashion \u2013 her work is reputed to feature among the most lavish clothing of\u00a0the Baroque period.<\/p>\n

Returning to Rome in 1620,\u00a0 Artemisia found great wealth, and was among the most in demand of artists at the time, her Carrivagist style and use of chiaroscuro yielding work like Judith and Her Maidservant and Annunciation.\u00a0Artemisia moved to Naples in 1630, and eight years later, joined her father in London\u00a0 in the court of Charles I. The two worked together on allegories and the king was himself a fan of Artemisia\u2019s work.\u00a0The death of her father in 1939 and the English Civil War saw Artemisia return to Naples and it\u2019s believed that she died around 1652, survived by a daughter named Palmira, who was also a painter.<\/p>\n

Curiously, Artemisia\u2019s work was largely forgotten\u00a0 until the late 20th century, and most recently London\u2019s National Gallery\u2019s 2020 exhibition of her work was lauded by the art work with the BBC\u2019s Will Gompertz questioning \u2018whether there has even been a better, bolder painter of human drama.\u2019\u00a0The Guardian\u2019s Jonathan Jones stated that Artemisia\u2019s work is a \u2018thrill ride from beginning to end,\u2019 and Alastair Sooke writing in The Telegraph remarked that the artist was \u2018art history\u2019s greatest heroine.\u2019<\/p>\n

Burghley House is proud to own Artemisia\u2019s 1652 painting Susannah and the Elders, with the estate\u2019s curator of exhibitions Jon Culverhouse describing the painting as \u2018one of the jewels in the crown of the Burghley art collection.\u2019\u00a0That\u2019s why, this month, the estate is inviting visitors to enjoy an exhibition of Artemisia Gentileschi\u2019s work… but with a difference.<\/p>\n

Visitors will embark on a virtual reality experience, putting on a headset and totally immersing themselves in the story of Artemisia Gentileschi in her studio.\u00a0\u201cNarrated by musician and author, Cerys Matthews, The Light in the Shadow is experienced through virtual reality headsets and explores the fascinating story of one of today\u2019s most celebrated Baroque artists,\u201d says Jon.\u00a0\u201cThe 14-minute experience follows Artemisia\u2019s journey as she navigates a world where women have virtually no rights to become one of Europe\u2019s most accomplished and in-demand painters of her time who continues to capture imaginations today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the virtual reality experience, an unprecedented collection of Artemisia\u2019s work is gathered into a single experience, where each viewer can admire the work in their own immersive world. One special piece which features in the experience is Burghley House\u2019s very own Artemisia Gentileschi painting Susannah and the Elders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPurchased by the ninth Earl of Exeter whilst in Rome, the 400-year-old painting is Artemisia\u2019s earliest-known work. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to view the historic painting which will be on display in the House for the duration of the exhibition.\u00a0The painting is not normally on public display at Burghley, so it is a unique chance to view this extraordinary piece of art.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Light in the Shadow has been created by UK based film and immersive production companies, Fat Red Bird (run by Ga\u00eblle Mourre) and Monkey Frame (run by Quentin Darras) and co-produced by award-winning British writer, director, and producer Charlotte Mikkelborg.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the latest episode in a (Hi)Story of a Painting series co-created by artist and filmmakers Ga\u00eblle Mourre and Quentin Darras, with each episode focusing on a renowned painter,\u201d says Jon.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s aimed at engaging new audiences with art by creating accessible and relatable experiences, the series focuses on the human stories behind some of the world\u2019s most iconic art.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe visuals and virtual environment appear in support of the narration, helping to illustrate and anchor the narrator\u2019s story in the viewer\u2019s mind.\u201d\u00a0Co-creators Mourre and Darras said: \u201cIt\u2019s such a treat to get to show our piece in as remarkable a place as this, one that offers viewers a rare opportunity for holistic immersion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo start the transition from the physical world into the virtual world before even putting on a headset is integral to a rich virtual reality experience and Burghley House naturally allows for this – the history, architecture and magnificent scenery create a wonderful sense of displacement.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Light in the Shadow\u2019s Co-producer, Charlotte Mikkelborg, added: \u201cBurghley\u2019s brilliant Curator Jon Culverhouse has been a key supporter of the project since I first reached out to him in September 2021.\u00a0 With Burghley House\u2019s incredible art collection, from works as imposing as Verrio\u2019s Hell Staircase to exquisite miniatures like The Virgin and Child by Artemisia\u2019s father Orazio, we are beyond excited to be able to bring our VR experience here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The collection of fine art owned by Burghley House is extensive and varied, and includes many highly important objects. For instance the collection of Italian Old Master paintings is one of the finest in private hands. The collections of both Oriental and European ceramics are world famous and of great interest to scholars.\u00a0Fine English and continental furniture, 17th century Objects of Vertu, English portrait miniatures and European Works of Art all feature strongly, as does Artemesia\u2019s own\u00a0Susannah and the Elders.<\/p>\n

The virtual reality experience \u2018The Light in the Shadow\u2019, featuring the life and work of Artemisia Gentileschi, will run at Burghley House until 31st August (excluding Fridays). Tickets are \u00a310 per person, available to book online at www.burghley.co.uk or purchase on the day. Visit Burghley House, PE9 3JY. For more information call 01780 752451.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Susannah
Susannah and the Elders.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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