ARH 299: Artbreakers: Italian Women Artists from Renaissance to Modern Era
Course description
This course explores the history of Italian art through the often-overlooked contributions of female artists, from the Late Renaissance to the modern era. It highlights key figures such as Properzia de’ Rossi, Lavinia Fontana, and Elisabetta Sirani, with a special focus on Bologna’s rich tradition of women artists. Students will examine a wide range of styles and artists, from Plautilla Nelli to Artemisia Gentileschi and Rosalba Carriera, concluding with figures from Futurism and the avant-garde. Through historical context, the course analyzes how artistic developments reflect broader cultural attitudes toward women. Lectures are complemented by visual presentations and site visits, allowing students to engage directly with artworks and their settings.
Learning objectives
By the end of this course, we will be able to:
define each artistic period of Italian Art (Late Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Futurism, Modern).
become familiar with the most important Italian women artists.
identify and approximately date many works of art and describe their main characteristics.
better understand the works of art studied in their social, religious, and political contexts.
recognize and use dexterously some specific terminology related to the artistic techniques.