Women Artists, Their Patrons, and Their Publics in Early Modern Bologna

This groundbreaking book explores why women artists were more numerous, diverse, and successful in early modern Bologna than elsewhere in Italy. It identifies and explores the factors that facilitated their success, such as local biographers, an unusually diverse system of artistic patronage, the impact of Bologna's university, an abundance of women writers, and the frequency of self-portraits and signed paintings.

Format: Hardback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 10 March 2021
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

This groundbreaking book delves into the remarkable phenomenon of why women artists were far more numerous, diverse, and successful in early modern Bologna than in other parts of Italy. The authors explore the reasons behind this exceptional situation, seeking to understand why women artists in Bologna achieved greater prominence and success in their artistic endeavors compared to their counterparts elsewhere.

The book is based on extensive archival research, which includes the examination of sixty-eight women artists who lived and worked in Bologna during the 16th and 17th centuries. These artists worked in various mediums, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and embroidery, and many of them received public commissions and expanded their artistic horizons beyond the traditional portrait subjects reserved for women.

The authors of the book identify and examine various factors that contributed to the success of these women artists. One of the key factors was the local biographers who celebrated women artists in new and innovative ways. These biographers played a crucial role in elevating the status and recognition of women artists in the city.

Another factor was the diverse system of artistic patronage in Bologna. Citizens from all social classes supported and encouraged artists, including women. This patronage allowed women artists to gain access to resources, opportunities, and commissions that were not readily available to them elsewhere.

The impact of Bologna's venerable university was also significant. The university provided a nurturing environment for the arts, attracting talented students and scholars who were interested in the study and appreciation of art. This academic environment fostered the growth and development of women artists, who were able to learn from and collaborate with other artists and scholars.

Additionally, the city of Bologna was home to a large community of women writers, who played a significant role in promoting and celebrating women artists. Women writers were often the subject of their works, and their writings helped to create a positive and supportive environment for women artists.

Furthermore, many women artists in Bologna frequently depicted themselves in their works, a practice that was uncommon in other parts of Italy. This self-portraiture allowed women artists to assert their identity and authority.

In tracing the evolution of Bolognas female artists from nun-painters to working professionals, the book proposes new attributions and interpretations of their works. The authors analyze the artistic styles, techniques, and themes of these women artists and explore how they contributed to the development of early modern art.

The book is not only a valuable resource for art historians, historians, and scholars of womens studies, but it also offers innovative methodological models and historically grounded insights. It provides new documentation and evidence that sheds light on the lives and works of these women artists, helping to deepen our understanding of their contributions to the art world.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking book offers a fresh perspective on the history of women artists in early modern Italy. It sheds light on the factors that facilitated their success and explores the evolution of their artistic practices. By examining the lives and works of sixty-eight women artists, the book provides new attributions and interpretations of their works, contributing to our understanding of the rich and diverse artistic heritage of early modern Bologna.

Weight: 1484g
Dimension: 237 x 260 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271086965