Kate Hamill’s latest theatrical work, The Light and the Dark, draws inspiration from the bold and tumultuous life of Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi. The spark for the play came during Hamill’s 2020 honeymoon in Italy when a visit to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence introduced her to Gentileschi’s Judith Slaying Holofernes.
“I was standing in front of this painting, just like crying and shaking for like 20 minutes,” Hamill recalls. The visceral reaction compelled her to create a play celebrating Gentileschi, whom she describes as a “feminist primal scream.”
A Story of Struggle and Strength
Gentileschi, known for her defiance in the male-dominated art world, created fearless works that mirrored her tumultuous experiences. She became a symbol of resilience, particularly for her courageous testimony against the painter who raped her, even as she endured torture in court.
Hamill, one of America’s most-produced playwrights, takes on the role of Gentileschi herself in the production, aiming to embody the artist’s strength and sacrifices. “It was important to me as a female artist to put my own body in the line of the service of a female artist who used the power of her body to say something,” Hamill says.
A Timeless Call to Action
The play channels Gentileschi’s life as a rallying cry for contemporary feminism. Hamill was particularly moved by Judith Slaying Holofernes, which influenced the final speech in the play.
Hamill describes how the painting rekindled her resolve during a period of frustration with persistent gender inequities. “I swear to you, I felt this woman reach through time and … go ‘Snap out of it! You have a voice. You have privilege. You’re going to let those guys beat you? Get louder, get bolder!’”
A Legacy of Courage
Through The Light and the Dark, Hamill highlights Gentileschi’s enduring relevance, drawing parallels between the injustices of her time and those faced by women today. The play, now showing at 59E59 Theatres as a Primary Stages production, serves as both a tribute and a call to action for artists and survivors alike.
Hamill’s fearless approach encapsulates Gentileschi’s spirit, making the play not only a work of art but also a symbol of perseverance and empowerment.
