A recent discovery at the Musée de la Chartreuse in Douai, France has art experts buzzing with excitement. What was once thought to be a painting by Flemish Renaissance artist Pieter Pourbus has been reattributed to Lavinia Fontana, one of the first professional female artists of the Renaissance era.
Costamagna, an expert in Florentine and Roman art, recognized Fontana’s signature style in the painting titled “Portrait of a Gentleman, His Daughter and a Servant.” The painting, depicting an austere man and his young daughter in matching ruffs, now sheds light on Fontana’s talent and legacy as a groundbreaking female artist.
Born in Bologna in 1552, Fontana learned to paint under the guidance of her father, Prospero Fontana, a prominent Mannerist artist. Despite the challenges facing women in the art world at the time, Fontana managed to establish herself as a successful artist, securing major commissions from esteemed figures like the popes Gregory XIII and Clement VIII.
Fontana’s diverse body of work includes portraits, mythological scenes, and major altar pieces for churches across Italy. She was also a mother of 11 children, a remarkable feat considering the demands of both motherhood and a thriving artistic career. Before her death in 1614, Fontana became the first woman to be accepted into Rome’s prestigious Accademia di San Luca.
Despite her significant contributions to art history, Fontana remains lesser-known compared to her male counterparts. The reattribution of “Portrait of a Gentleman, His Daughter and a Servant” not only highlights Fontana’s talent but also brings attention to her groundbreaking status as a female artist in a male-dominated field.
The discovery of Fontana’s work at the Musée de la Chartreuse is seen as a major breakthrough in art history. The painting will undergo restoration before being added to the museum’s permanent collection, where it will help to enhance Fontana’s reputation and attract a new audience curious to discover her work.
This remarkable find serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked contributions of women artists throughout history. Fontana’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and talent in overcoming societal barriers, and her legacy continues to inspire art lovers and historians alike.
