Biographies
Below is a selection of prominent women artists from the Renaissance.
Sofonisba Anguissola - Artemisia Gentileschi - Lavinia Fontana
Sofonisba Anguissola
Sofonisba Anguissola was born around 1532, the daughter of a nobleman in Northern Italy. Influenced by the ideas of Humanism, he encouraged his six daughters to further their education. In doing so, 6 of his 7 children became painters. The only child to not become a painter was his son.
Not living with an artist who had space and access to models meant that Sofonisba, and other women like her, could not undertake large historical or biblical paintings. Instead, she turned to her family and scenes of domestic life. Despite her lack of access to such things, her father encouraged her in her pursuits. He wrote Michelangelo asking for advice on his daughter's work. For a time, he and Michelangelo wrote back and forth about Sofonisba's work.
To the right is Sofonisba's self-portrait. She establishes herself as a painter in the work, which is significant because it shows she is asserting ownership over her work. She did other self-portraits which show her in her other educational pursuits.
Self-portrait at the Easel Painting a Devotional Panel. Oil on canvas, 660 x 570 mm (26 x 22 1/2). Muzeum-Zamek, Lancut, Poland.
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi was born in Rome, Italy in 1593. Her father, Orazio, was a painter. While she was growing up, Artemisia worked along side her brothers in their father's studio. This is where she learned to draw and paint. While she learned from her father, Artemisia was heavily influenced by Caravaggio.
Throughout her career, Artemisia received a number of commissions by everyone from the Medicis of Florence to kings. She worked continually until her death in 1653.
The painting to the left is Judith Beheading Holofernes. This version of the piece was painted shortly after a long court case where Artemisia and her father accused another artist of raping Artemisia. To more closely examine this painting visit Google Art Project.
Judith Slaying Holofernes (1614-20) Oil on canvas 199 x 162 cm Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.
to topLavinia Fontana
Lavinia Fontana was born in 1552 in Bologna. Her father was a prominent painter at the School of Bologna, learning to paint from him.
Lavinia married and gave birth to 11 children. In contrast to traditional Renaissance expectations, Lavinia painted to support her family while her husband took care of the household. She was commissioned by and painted multiple Popes.
Self-portrait at the Clavichord with a Servant. Oil on canvas, Accademia Nazionale di San Luca, Rome.
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