During the Renaissance period, artists in the spotlight were men. Artworks created by woman were not widely acknowledged until after the Renaissance had passed. Afterwards, women were able to finally make their names as artists. The majority of women in the medieval period were expected to attend to housework, and sometimes even join their husbands in the fields. Most were prevented from gaining the knowledge needed to become an artist, and as a result it made it near it possible for women to be successful in this field. Only a small group of dedicated women were able to overcome these obstacles and become professional artists.
It was highly difficult for women to become recognized artists during the Renaissance. Only a few cultivated a reputation, including Sofonisba Anguissola, and Caterina van Hemessen. Both of these women received training and publicity from their fathers, and that was partly how they were able to establish this reputation for themselves. Sofonisba’s father, who was a nobleman, encouraged his children to show interest in art or music, and he especially supported his eldest daughter. She studied with local artists, where talent and skills were acknowledged. Her father even wrote Michelangelo about her, and he kindly responded with praise and encouragement and sent a drawing that Sofonisba could study to gain more experience. Her first works were mainly self-portraits and paintings of her family. Another woman Renaissance artist was Caterina van Hamessen, who received training and encouragement from her father as well. Like Sofonisba, most of her first works were self-portraits, and a few portrayed woman playing games, such as spinet or chess. These artists may not have succeeded if it were not for their fathers, who had more say in society than they did. They helped to train and expose their daughter’s artworks to gain popularity.
Of the female Renaissance artists, Sofonisba was certainly one of the greatest of her time. Compared to male artists, Sofonisba’s work seemed to be of a lighter subject. In her portrait “A Game of Chess, Involving the Painters Three Sisters and a Servant,” the expressions on the girls’ faces convey a pleasant mood while playing a lively game of chess. The younger sister has a broad smile across her face. Compare that to Michelangelo’s Pieta, which has a sorrowful theme and expresses deep emotional sadness. Although Michelangelo’s Pieta is a carving, he was producing artwork during the same time period as Sofonisba. Male artists in general seemed to produce religious works that focused on a melancholy subject, in contrast to Sofonisba, who seemed to portray subject matters that were not as dark.
In general, it was highly difficult for female artist to be recognized in the Renaissance period. It was most certainly a limiting time period for females to venture into becoming an artist. The kind of education required to be an artist was generally not available for most women in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. One female artist, Anguissola Sofonisba, was dubbed one of the greatest of her time, despite being a woman. Although many obstacles and sterotypes had to be overcome, a handful of women were determined enough to succeed as serious artists.
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