Out of all seven women featured in this series, Angelique Marie Lilly Martin Spencer was unique for her outstanding and magical upbringing. Born in England in 1822 to French highly educated parents, Lilly was encouraged to pursue her artistic path at an early age and had the added benefit of a home-school education. The family relocated often first … [Read more...] about Dancing the Quadrille Backwards with Lilly Martin Spencer
Historical Pigments
Doing the Minuet Backwards in the Peat Bogs of Norway with Christine Kitty Lange Kielland
One of the most inspiring facets of doing research for my Lessons Projects over the years, is the discovery of the unknown. For my first pigment exploration, I learned about colors available to and used by the 17th Century Dutch Masters. Then came the Golden Age of Greek Art in the 5th Century BCE. After that the Native Americans of the Southwest … [Read more...] about Doing the Minuet Backwards in the Peat Bogs of Norway with Christine Kitty Lange Kielland
Doing the Mazurka with Emma Sandys
Like Elisabetta Sirani, the first featured woman artist in this series, Emma Sandys had a tragically short life. When she died at age 34 of respiratory illness, her death was announced in a simple notice rather than true obituary or a celebration illustrating her artistic accomplishments. Norwich, England was her birth city where she lived and … [Read more...] about Doing the Mazurka with Emma Sandys
The Queen of Capri Waltzed Backwards in Button Boots: Sophie Gengembre Anderson
One common thread with many women artists discussed here is that they were born into well-to-do families and had successful and influential parents, usually professionally educated in the arts or sciences. This is very true of the French artist, Sophie Gengembre Anderson whose father was both an architect and artist. Though she was born in Paris, … [Read more...] about The Queen of Capri Waltzed Backwards in Button Boots: Sophie Gengembre Anderson
Dancing the Rigaudon Backwards: Rachel Ruysch
Unlike the previous featured artist, Elisabetta Sirani, Rachel Ruysch lived a long and fruitful 86 years. It’s no wonder her passion for art developed early with a penchant for natural marvels like flowers, butterflies, lizards, and other creatures because she was raised the daughter of a physician/anatomist and botanist, Frederik Ruysch. Fortune … [Read more...] about Dancing the Rigaudon Backwards: Rachel Ruysch
Dancing Backwards with Elisabetta Sirani: 1638-1665
After deciding on the topic for this project, I found two books on women artists in my library and began the research. Several works by certain artists stood out. As usual, vibrant shimmering color or color harmony draws me in to a composition. The work of Elisabetta Sirani instantly reveals a bold color palette often with unmuted primary and … [Read more...] about Dancing Backwards with Elisabetta Sirani: 1638-1665