A Woman’s Perspective
A Woman’s Perspective
The Renaissance period marked the rebirth of humanism, and the revival of cultural achievements, including art. During this time artists produced pieces of art that captured the artists individualism and perspective. Although this was a period of rebirth and revival of classical art, sculpture, architecture and literary works flourished, women artists faced impossible restrictions, faced extreme prejudice, and were not taken seriously. During the Renaissance, education and training of young girls focused exclusively on their intended roles of wife and mother and the skills needed to maintain a household. Since domestic duties were arduous and time consuming, most women didn't have time to consider careers outside the home. As a result the role of artist was rarely encouraged for women of the Renaissance, making it highly difficult for women to become recognized as an artist during the Renaissance period.
Only a small group of dedicated women were able to overcome these obstacles and become professional artists. Most of the women artists of the period were either daughters of artists who trained as apprentices in their father's workshops or daughters of noblemen. Artistic training was available for unmarried women in nunneries, because they were restricted from studying in art academies and were not permitted to study human anatomy through the study of nude models. Although this was crucial for the success of an aspiring artist, the study of human anatomy was deemed inappropriate for proper young ladies. Therefore, most of the paintings done by women artists during the
Renaissance was of domestic settings, such as still life and portraitures. Because of their constrained independence, they were excluded from public commissions of the times that centered on religious frescos in churches or public buildings.
One of the accomplished women artist was Artemisia Gentileschi, the daughter of a well-known artist Orazio known for his
The Renaissance period marked the rebirth of humanism, and the revival of cultural achievements, including art. During this time artists produced pieces of art that captured the artists individualism and perspective. Although this was a period of rebirth and revival of classical art, sculpture, architecture and literary works flourished, women artists faced impossible restrictions, faced extreme prejudice, and were not taken seriously. During the Renaissance, education and training of young girls focused exclusively on their intended roles of wife and mother and the skills needed to maintain a household. Since domestic duties were arduous and time consuming, most women didn't have time to consider careers outside the home. As a result the role of artist was rarely encouraged for women of the Renaissance, making it highly difficult for women to become recognized as an artist during the Renaissance period.
Only a small group of dedicated women were able to overcome these obstacles and become professional artists. Most of the women artists of the period were either daughters of artists who trained as apprentices in their father's workshops or daughters of noblemen. Artistic training was available for unmarried women in nunneries, because they were restricted from studying in art academies and were not permitted to study human anatomy through the study of nude models. Although this was crucial for the success of an aspiring artist, the study of human anatomy was deemed inappropriate for proper young ladies. Therefore, most of the paintings done by women artists during the
Renaissance was of domestic settings, such as still life and portraitures. Because of their constrained independence, they were excluded from public commissions of the times that centered on religious frescos in churches or public buildings.
One of the accomplished women artist was Artemisia Gentileschi, the daughter of a well-known artist Orazio known for his