Lavinia Fontana

My first introduction to Lavinia Fontana was at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. I was there with my mother and a friend of hers who worked there, and we saw stood in front of a painting by her. Portrait of a Noblewoman (pictured above) is one of two paintings NMWA has that represent Fontana's obvious talent.

Fontana grew up in an acknowledged artistic hotbed, Bologna, and was the daughter of Propsero Fontana, an established artist. Prospero noted her artistic abilities and became her teacher, so that she could carry on the family business. Fontana excelled in all areas, and became famous in Bologna for painting members of aristocratic households, large scale religious fresco's, and even a nude or two.

When she was 25, she married and went on to have 11 children. However, this is not where the story ends. Her husband, Paolo Zappi, allowed her to continue her professional career and was one of the first stay-at-home dads, supporting the household and acting as her assistant in the studio. By 1603, word of her talent had spread to Rome and she was invited to become a court painter to Pope Paul V. By the end of her life, Fontana had received numerous awards and honors. She is credited by modern historians as the first known woman to make a true career for herself as an artist.

Bravo!

A Beginning to the Blog

So, for a long time now, I have wanted to start a group, or a non-profit or something, anything that will connect young women with countless role models from the past. You know, the ones that don't show up in the history books because well let's face it, their contributions were often times limited expressly due to their gender.

I am a feminist, although I shy away from saying so because there is such a negative connotation to that word in our society. Let me clear a few things up; I believe that feminism is an egalitarian venture. I do not think women are better than men, that they deserve more liberties, or greater standing in society. I have a wonderful fiance who looks to me as his equal. Although our abilities and strengths differ, we are able to look at one another as peers and find joy in the fact that with our powers and prowess combined we could, in fact, rule the world. Okay, maybe not, but the point is we respect one another as capable people.

Some may say that because this blog focuses on womens' roles throughout history, it is in direct conflict with the concept of egalitarianism I spoke of in the last paragraph. I disagree on the sole fact that I am merely playing catch-up with hundreds of history books through which women have been all but erased. I will however, make a promise to include men who supported and held up the women in these posts.