renaissance female artist

Not your average Renaissance woman
In The Book of the Courtier, the ultimate ‘how to’ guide on Renaissance lifestyle for
men and women, Baldassare Castiglione’s description of the lady of the court
makes the difference in sex roles quite clear. On the one hand, the Renaissance
lady appears as the equivalent of the courtier. She has the same virtues of mind
as he and her education is symmetrical with his. She learns everything-well,
almost everything-he does: “knowledge of letters, of music, of painting, and . . .
how to dance and how to be festive.” Culture is an accomplishment for
noblewoman and man alike, used to charm others as much as to develop the
self. But, for the woman, charm had become the primary occupation and aim.
Whereas the courtier’s chief task is defined as the profession of arms, “in a Lady
who lives at court a certain pleasing affability is becoming above all else, whereby
she will be able to entertain graciously every kind of man.”
Not all women lived to do this. In recent years the lives of women artists and their
careers have slowly surfaced as more scholarship is devoted to uncovering their
contributions to art.
Research the life of one Italian Renaissance female artist and discuss the
following:
1. Background info. Make it relevant.
2. What were the circumstances that allowed this woman to become an artist in a
time period governed almost exclusively by men? Who did she study with?
3. Select an artwork by the artist you have chosen and compare it to the same
subject painted by a male artist. How does her work differ from his? Discuss style
and approach. Post your chosen artworks.
Guidelines:
 400-500 words (400 minimum NOT including citations, bibliography,
etc.). Anything less is a grade deduction. Ok if you go over a bit, no more
than 525 words please.
 You must include one quotation. Do not use more than one.
 Use two sources that are reliable and solid. Do not use any textbook or
basic encyclopedia. Make sure your sources are solid.
 Cite your sources in MLA or Chicago style. Include bibliography in last
page.
 Include images at the end of the paper. Label images appropriately.
 Upload a word doc.
 Due on April 9 at 11:59pm on Canvas.

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