A Closer Look: Episode 32 - Lavinia Fontana
In the twentieth century, feminist art historians pointed out the ways in which women artists are often evaluated for their historical importance, rather than for the qualities of their production.
So if we were to look at Italian women artists of the Renaissance and Baroque, who might we select solely on the basis of their artistic excellence and contemporary reputation?
In this episode of A Closer Look, Dr Kathleen Olive make a case for the importance of Lavinia Fontana, a painter from Bologna who was recognised with the highest professional honours awarded to Italian artists in the seventeenth century.
You can see a high resolution image of the painting, which is now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux, here.
Dr Kathleen Olive
Kathleen is a specialist in Italian language and literature and has led tours to Italy, France, Spain, the USA, Japan and Australasia for more than fifteen years. Kathleen is a director of Limelight Arts Travel.
Dr Nick Gordon
Nick is a historian of Italy and of Western Europe in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period. He has led tours to Italy, France, Germany, Scandinavia, East Asia and Australasia for more than fifteen years. Nick is a director of Limelight Arts Travel.