Exhibition: Plautilla Nelli: Convent Art and Devotion in the Footsteps of Savonarola (8 Mar - 4 Jun 2017)

A new interesting exhibition opened to the public twelve days ago in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Its theme is the paintings of the first-known female Florentine artist, Sister Plautilla Nelli, who lived in the 16th century. Sister Plautilla came from a wealthy family and joined the Dominican convent of St. Catherine of Siena in Florence at the age of fourteen. She was self-taught in painting and was influenced by the teachings of Savonarola and the art of Fra Bartolomeo.

Grieving Madonna - Image source: Wikimedia

Art created by a nun were considered to have magical powers and her works were very popular among her contemporaries. Her paintings enjoyed the favour of many patrons and she executed both large pieces and miniatures. The main characteristic of her work is religion and the vivid emotions on the faces she painted. Moreover, her male figures bear a feminine element as she was not allowed to study and depict a nude male body.

The Uffizi exhibition presents not only her paintings, but also some codes illuminated by her. It will be open to the public until 4 June. If you happen to pass from Florence during the following months, it's worth a visit.




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