ARH 5082 WOMEN ARTISTS REN & BAROQUE
This 4-credit seminar aims to explore the careers of women artists in Renaissance and Baroque Italy. The course will begin with a discussion about the validity of studying artists by gender, and an in-depth examination of modern feminist art-historical literature both encouraging and discouraging the practice. We will move on to consider the biographies and works of female artists in the 16-17th centuries in Italy, situating them within the larger context of artistic achievement in the period. We will then focus on their career strategies, training, and the different ways in which they managed to overcome the social, moral, religious and professional restrictions particular to their gender. There will be a research paper, oral presentation, and required field trips. Prerequisites: one art history course or permission of the instructor.