religious art – Renaissance Reframed

Susanna and the Elders

This discussion is going to center on Susanna and the Elders by Artemisia Gentileschi from c. 1610. But for us to fully understand the painting, there are some important aspects we have to discuss first.

Reframing History: Sister Plautilla Nelli

Sister Plautilla Nelli (1524-1588) was a self-taught artist and is often considered the first known woman artist of Florence. She was a nun in the Dominican convent of St. Catherine of Siena, where she was heavily influenced by the teachings of Dominican friar and avid preacher Savonarola. Savonarola advocated for devotional paintings and encouraged womanContinue reading “Reframing History: Sister Plautilla Nelli”

Saint and Sinner: The Legacies of Two Byzantine Empresses

The legacies that shape the memory of notable historical figures are passed down through oral and written tradition. Through time and with the storyteller’s bias, these stories and legacies change to create specific memories that stay with the figure and become a part of accepted history. The question becomes how accurate are the legacies andContinue reading “Saint and Sinner: The Legacies of Two Byzantine Empresses”