Agostino Tassi - Rape Conviction

Rape Conviction

Tassi’s partnership with Orazio Gentileschi led to misfortune. A man who seems to have had a turbulent character and dissolute habits, Tassi was convicted in 1612 of raping Artemisia Gentileschi, Orazio's daughter and a talented painter. Tassi originally denied the accusation, stating, "Never have I had carnal relations nor tried to have it with the said Artemisia... I've never been alone in Artemisia's house with her." He afterwards claimed that he had visited her house in order to safeguard her honor. Tassi had already run afoul of the law, and had earlier been accused of raping both his sister-in-law and one of his wives. His wife had been missing for a time, and it was believed that Tassi had hired bandits to kill her.

In the ensuing 7-month rape trial, it was discovered that Tassi had planned to murder his wife, had committed incest with his sister-in-law and planned to steal some of Orazio’s paintings. At the end of the trial Tassi was imprisoned for one year. The trial has subsequently influenced the feminist view of Artemisia Gentileschi during the late 20th century.

Tassi died in Rome.