The Significance of Female Artists in the Renaissance

This paper focuses on the lives of female artists during the Renaissance, who faced many challenges while pursuing their career. Societal prejudices and lack of education placed restrictions on their career; problems such as misattribution and absent recognition also led to difficulties in accrediting female artists. Still, artists like Plautilla Nelli, Sofonisba Anguissola, Properzia De Rossi, Caterina van Hemessen, Diana Mantuana, Lavinia Fontana, and Artemisia Gentileschi became significant figures in the art field by breaking the conventional gender barriers. From tiny portraitures to sculptures to large scale paintings, female artists accomplished works across all areas in the art field. Some worked their way up to the courts of Spanish royalty, others earned a living through artistic commission and owned their own workshop. Some, like Anguissola and Gentileschi, were courageous enough to corporate unconventional opinions and even feminist ideals into their art. This paper aims to accredit the deserved recognition of many significant female artists who accomplished great achievements in the course of art history.