Group 2 Presentation

17th and 18th Century Europe

The introduction of Calvinism (Reformed Tradition) was created by John in the 17^th Century. It was the major branch of Western Christianity that emphasizes the rule of God. Calvinism spread quickly in the middle decades of the 16th century

“Northern European art was dominated by new, middle-class ideals reflecting the growth of commerce and the Protestant Church” (Chadwick, 117)

The 17^th Century Themes included Still-Life, Genre Scenes, Flower Paintings, and Topographical Landscape.

Angelica Kauffmann (1741- 1807)

Known as the first woman painter to challenge the masculine monopoly over history painting. History painting at the time was the most prestigious category at the time. Did not have access to formal training because she was a woman. Often criticized because historical painters received training from nude model. Became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy of Arts in London (30+ members,  only 2 females)

 

Angelica Kauffmann Zeuxis Selecting Models for His Picture of Helen Troy (1764)

Angelica Kauffmann Self Portrait

Maria Merian

Born April 2, 1647. Father was an engraver & died when she was an infant. Mother then married the dutch flower painter Jacob Marrel. Started out painting nature, insects, and other surroundings. Found a mentor, Johann Andreas Graff and later married him. Published a 3 part catalogue of her flower painting known as Nues Blumen Buch (New Flower Book).  Went to the dutch province of friesland with her 2 daughters and continued to draw insects. Went to south africa in 1699 with her daughter Dorothea and spent 2 years drawing both native insects and flowers. Forced home by malaria and published her most significant book in 1705, insect of surinam

Maria Sibylla Merian portrait from 500DM banknote

Merian, Maria Sibylla - Spiders and other insects, sun

Merian Maria Sibylla Flowers, Sun

Maria Sibylla Merian - A Parrot Tulip, Auriculas, and Red Currants, with a Magpie Moth, its Caterpillar and Pupa

Elizabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun

Her father was a painter and also her mentor. Became a member of the Academy of Painting in Berlin. At age 15, she went from being penniless after her father’s death to supporting her whole family. In 1787, she caused a minor public scandal violating painting conventions. This is an example of how women have been (and are) portrayed and have portrayed themselves in the late 18 to 19th century. Marie Antoinette, queen of France, helped Vigée-LeBrun to be inducted into the very prestigious Paris Royal Academy of the arts, where she was one of only four women.

Elisabeth- Louise Vigee- Lebrun Portrait of Marie Antoinette with her Children 1787

Judith leyster (1609- 1660)

Leyster painted genre works, portraits, and still lifes. Leyster was one of only two women at the time who were members of the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke. This allowed her the right to establish her own workshop and take on pupils. Her independent artistic career ended in 1636 when she married Harlem artist Jan Miense Molenaer (leaving most of work forgotten). It later emerged that many of Leyster’s works has been falsely attributed by her male contemporaries.

Judith Leyster, Self Portrait

Jan Vemeer, The Procuress ca. 1656

Judith Leyster, Man Offering Money to a Young Woman, 1631

Question:

How does religion play a role in the success of Female Artists?

Group members: Ashley Alvarez, Aysha Afroz, Matthew Acosta and Esteven Eskandar