On 26 May 2023, the National Gallery of Ireland will host an international symposium celebrating the life and work of Lavinia Fontana, in conjunction with the forthcoming exhibition, Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker (6 May – 27 August 2023). Sixteenth-century Bolognese painter Lavinia Fontana is widely considered to have been the first female artist to achieve commercial success beyond the confines of a court or a convent. She maintained an active career, while also taking on the role of wife and mother. She was the first woman recorded as having her own workshop, and thought to have been the first woman to paint public altarpieces and female nudes. Bringing together a selection of expert speakers, this study day will explore the traditions from which the artist drew inspiration, examine her enduring legacy, and highlight the unique talents of this trailblazing woman painter.
Confirmed speakers include
– Dr Aoife Brady, National Gallery of Ireland
· Prof. Vera Fortunati, University of Bologna
· Dr Sheila Barker, Founding Director of the Jane Fortune Research Program on Women Artists at the Medici Archive Project in Florence
· Dr Emanuele Lugli, Assistant Professor, Stanford University
· Jonquil O’Reilly, fashion historian and Old Master specialist at Christies, New York
· Prof. Babette Bohn, Texas Christian University
· Stefania Vai, Ph.D. candidate, University of Edinburgh
· Prof. Raffaella Morselli, Chair Professor of Modern Art History at Università di Teramo
The symposium will take place in the Gallery lecture theatre which is wheelchair accessible. It will have ISL interpretation, as well as live closed captioning. English to Italian interpretation will be made available for our Italian attendees.. Tickets include tea/coffee and lunch in the Shaw Room.
