Women in Renaissance Art

When asked to think about the Renaissance most people are able to develop a mental image because of art. Famous painters like Michelangelo and Rembrandt made many paintings and sculptures that help modern viewers see the world through the eyes of someone living during the Renaissance. But looking exclusively at the works of the most famous artists from the period can create a biased view. What is missing?

Women.

During the Renaissance it was not nearly as common for a woman to live as an artist as it was for a man. However, women made important contributions to the art world through three roles: artist, patron, and subject.