Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker

Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker is the first monograph to examine Lavinia Fontana's work in over two decades and the first to focus on her striking portraits. It provides context to her career and examines areas underrepresented in current scholarship, including information on her workshop practice. The book explores Fontana's world and how she forged a successful career in the male-dominated world of Renaissance Italy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2023
Publisher: National Gallery of Ireland

Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker is a groundbreaking monograph that delves into the life and work of this remarkable female Renaissance artist, marking the first comprehensive examination of her work in over two decades. This pioneering study also focuses on the cultural context that facilitated her remarkable achievement of becoming the first woman artist in Western Europe to achieve commercial success beyond the boundaries of a court or convent. By bringing together various strands of scholarship on Fontana and her contemporaries, the book offers valuable insights into her career and explores areas that have been underrepresented in current research on the painter.

The monograph delves into Fontana's portraiture, renowned for its ability to capture the essence of human emotions and relationships. Through her captivating portraits, Fontana tells stories that resonate with audiences on a universal level, exploring themes such as family bonds, sibling rivalries, engagements, weddings, births, and deaths. Written by Aoife Brady, with contributions from leading scholars on Fontana, Babette Bohn, and Jonquil OReilly, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of Fontana's world and her remarkable journey in the male-dominated realm of Renaissance Italy.

The exhibition schedule for "Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker" is as follows:

National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
May 6–August 27, 2023

This exhibition provides an opportunity to witness the brilliance of Fontana's work firsthand and to appreciate her significant contribution to the art world. The monograph and the exhibition serve as a testament to her talent, resilience, and the enduring impact of her artistic legacy.

Weight: 988g
Dimension: 232 x 270 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911716006