Group One

Summary:

      Our presentation focused on why there were no "great" women artists during the Renaissance. Artemisia Gentileschi was known for her large and dramatic paintings of the female heroine in the context of the Old Testament, history, and mythology. Although being one of, arguably, the most famous artists of her time, she was forgotten by history after her death. It was not until Roberto Longhi in 1916 that she was truly rediscovered. Today Artemisia is finally recognized as one of the leading artists of her time. 

Elisabetta Sirani was a young artist that overcame the disadvantages females faced during her lifetime. She gained recognition and fought for her worth as an artist. Dianna Scultori was known for her engravings, which was uncommon for females at the time. She was one of the first female artists to sell art under her own name. Lavinia Fontana was a female artist that worked in the same social sphere as her male counter parts. Her paintings consisted of female nudes and she was the first Bolognese female to gain recognition throughout Italy.

Female artists have been just as “great” as men; the only difference between their works is the social construction of inequality. Women were given fewer opportunities from the start. Art was considered a man’s world. Elisabetta Sirani’s own father would not allow her to paint until a colleague encouraged him to allow her to pursue the life of an artist. The western male dominated viewpoint has been the only voice through which art history has spoken for a very long time. This viewpoint has consequently excluded females as “great” artists.

Question: What other social constructions have restricted women from becoming “great” artists?

Pictures:

Artemesia Gentileschi 

Elisabetta Sirani

Lavinia Fontana