The painting is shocking for its violence and the calm determination of the women. The artist is Artemisia Gentileschi, born in 1593; the subject is the biblical story of Judith, a beautiful Jewish widow who beheaded an inebriated Assyrian general sent to destroy her city.

Painted around 1620, one can't help but attribute the visceral emotion to Gentileschi's own experiences: her rape at 17 by her teacher, her torture at the well-documented trial of her assailant, and the challenge of building a career as an artist at a time when it was virtually impossible for women to do so. But she succeeded, gaining commissions in the courts of Rome, Florence, Naples and even in England.

Join us on Sunday, April 14, 11 a.m. at the Revue Cinema for a documentary and discussion about Gentileschi, her life and art. While overlooked for centuries, she has been rediscovered in recent decades and is now considered one of the most accomplished artists of her generation.

Two guests will lead our discussion: art historian Gerta Moray and Pegah Kargar, founder and CEO of Repaint History, an initiative to raise awareness of women artists.

Filmmaker Ellen Weissbrod’s documentary, A Woman like That, explores Gentileschi’s life and art while showing how the stories of extraordinary women can inspire us today.

Advance tickets, $10 at extraordinarywomen.eventbrite.com; $15 at the Revue Cinema door.

This event helps raise funds for Back Lane Studios, a non-profit creative arts hub in Toronto's Roncesvalles Village, with a particular focus on photography and videography.