'I Am You' fictionalizes the story of a Dutch Golden Age painter and her maid

Victoria Redel, a novelist and poet, shares insights into her historical novel, I Am You, centered on 17th-century painter Maria van Oosterwijck and her assistant Gerta Pieters. They explore the intimate dynamics between the women, questioning whether they were lovers. Redel discusses the sensory experiences of paint-making and the evolving roles of women artists. The conversation reveals the complexities of ambition, rivalry, and love, shedding light on women's contributions to art in an era full of restrictions.