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
Margret's Still Life Oil Paintings
Formal still life oil paintings came into popularity in 17th century Dutch when people became more affluent. They were also withdrawing from the rigid constraints of the church and could paint subjects other than from the bible. Still life oil painting has remained a popular form of expression since that time.
Adelaide Labille-Guiard; Folkdancing Backwards
Adelaide Labille came from a more modest background than the previous three women featured in this series. In spite of this, she rose to fame and became known as the greatest women pastel portraitist next to Rosalba Carriera. What is noteworthy to me, is even though many women artists rise in fame during their lifetime, their prominence fades over … [Read more...] about Adelaide Labille-Guiard; Folkdancing Backwards
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
Getting Down to Specifics: Part Two
This commission piece was a delight to paint, and each day a pleasure, not work at all. As the painting progressed, I found it hard to stop at the end of each painting session. Often, I took photos of the transformations and sent them along to the clients. Because of the marvels of the iPhone camera, it was easy to document day to day progress and … [Read more...] about Getting Down to Specifics: Part Two