3554 - Rediscovering Women Artists from the Italian Renaissance (Jane Herzig)
Course Description
Instructor: Jane Herzig
Rediscovered Women Artists from the Italian Renaissance is a five session course that comprises the first section of Art HERstory with Jane Keller Herzig.
Session 1: Materials and Techniques - a survey of materials and techniques utilized by artists, starting with prehistoric cave paintings and ending in the 16th century. During this session we learn why, with the development of new materials and techniques, gaining artistic skills was extremely challenging for Renaissance women.
Session 2: Where are the Women? - Throughout the Renaissance women painted and created magnificent groundbreaking pieces. In Giorgio Vasari's second edition "Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects", published in 1568, he included 4 women artists. After Vasari, women painted, sculpted, made prints, etc.and were often renowned; once they died, they and their work were either marginalized or totally forgotten. "Women Artists 1550 -1950" a groundbreaking exhibit that opened in Los Angeles in 1976 ignited interest in the brilliant women who had been lost to history. How lost artwork is coming to light is addressed in this session.
Session 3: Sofonisba Anguissola c. 1532-1625. As a lady-in-waiting for Isabel de Valois, wife of Philip II of Spain, Anguissola was an eminent portrait painter in the King's court. How she achieved the goal and became renowned throughout Italy is captivating history.
Session 4: Lavinia Fontana 1552-1614. Daughter of a Bolognese painter, Fontana was one of the most sought after and highly paid painters in all of 16th century Italy.
Session 5: Artemisia Gentileschi 1593-1614. Rediscovered in 1916, and today considered one of the most eminent painters of the Baroque era. Artemisia's story and her artwork are compelling.
Bio: Attended Smith College - 3 years, Art History Major
Hunter College - BA - Art 1965
MS - SCSU - 1970
MA-Ed - Hartford Art School - 1981
Created - Art HERstory with Jane Keller Herzig - 11 session course on women artists, whose work today is being honored - starting with Sofonisba Anguissola
Presented course through the Institute of New Dimensions (IND) - College Level Courses fro Bergen county (NJ) Seniors