Creativity of female artists in Italian fine arts of XV–XVII centuries

Abstract

The article provides an overview and reveals the features of the professional formation, development and social status of female artists’ creativity in the Italian fine arts of the XVI-XVII centuries. The value of their artistic heritage for future generations has been established. It was stated that the role of a female artist in society was influenced by both social and gender factors, in particular, the fact that the profession of a master artist was assigned to men, and the teaching of art to girls was related to obligatory household chores or hobbies. It has been proven that already in the XV century, artists appeared in Italy whose activities went beyond these boundaries. Initially, they were self-taught nuns, such as Catherine of Bologna, but by the end of the century, the work of female artists acquired a professional character (for example, Pr. de’Rossi). It is noted that, since that time, works of art by female artists have influenced the change in social stereotypes about their work. It was found that Italian female artists of the Renaissance and subsequent centuries turned mainly to the genres of portrait, landscape and still life. However, there are cases of creation of monumental works (Pl. Nelli) or reflections of dramatic events (A. Gentileschi). It was revealed that by the beginning of the XVIII century in these genres, female artists were in full competition with men and were the inventors of both new genres (S. Anguissola) and new painting techniques (R. Carriera). There is also a manifestation of their author’s vision in compositions on religious themes, on historical and mythological themes. It has been proven that the achievements of Italian female artists of the XV–XVII centuries were no less significant than those of male artists.