[1] The painting has been interpreted in relationship to Gentileschi's own career and self-image - "by including her signature in Clio's open book, Artemisia was quite literally writing herself into history".

She wears a russet-coloured gown over a white chemise, covered with a blue mantle pinned with a brooch at the left shoulder.

The space in which she stands is dark, with a light source from the left casting highlights on her face, chemise and the pages of the book.

[2] On the book on the left of the painting the date 1632 is inscribed, along with Artemisia's name (which is written in upper case) The name of "F. Rosier" is also recorded in the inscription.

This is likely to be François de Rosières, a French nobleman and academic who had been in the service of the Duke of Guise, who, after a rift with Cardinal Richelieu, had fled his home country and was living in Italy at the time.