New illustrated book for children tells story of Renaissance painter Lavinia Fontana
The children's illustrated book 'Io, Lavinia. La prima pittoressa' narrates the life of Lavinia Fontana (Bologna, 1552 – Rome, 1614), a prominent late Mannerist artist. Authored by Paola Goretti and illustrated by Carlotta Passarini, it belongs to the 'Storie della Storia di Bologna' series, overseen by Tiziana Roversi and published by Edizioni Minerva. As the daughter of painter Prospero Fontana, Lavinia gained recognition for her intricate portraits and was one of the pioneering women to depict biblical themes. She was invited to Rome by Pope Gregory XIII, receiving the title 'Pontificia Pittrice'. Despite facing personal obstacles, she produced approximately one hundred altarpieces, with 30 still in existence, and is celebrated for her notable reputation. The book includes duotone illustrations alongside color reproductions of her artwork.
Key facts
- Lavinia Fontana (1552–1614) was a late Mannerist painter from Bologna who worked in Rome.
- She was among the first women to paint biblical scenes and female figures like Judith and Mary Magdalene.
- Her father Prospero Fontana was a painter; she trained with the Carracci brothers.
- She painted the first altarpiece by a woman, 'Madonna di Pontesanto', now at Pinacoteca di Imola.
- Pope Gregory XIII invited her to Rome, where she became 'Pontificia Pittrice'.
- She married painter Giovan Paolo Zappi and had eleven pregnancies, four successful.
- Her 1613 painting 'Minerva in atto di abbigliarsi' is at Galleria Borghese, Rome.
- She is the Renaissance painter with the most surviving works: 30 signed altarpieces and 25 with disputed attribution.
- The book 'Io, Lavinia. La prima pittoressa' is written by Paola Goretti and illustrated by Carlotta Passarini.
- It is part of the 'Storie della Storia di Bologna' series directed by Tiziana Roversi, published by Edizioni Minerva.
Entities
Artists
- Lavinia Fontana
- Prospero Fontana
- Antonia di Bartolomeo De Bonardis
- Carracci brothers
- Fede Galizia
- Artemisia Gentileschi
- Giovan Paolo Zappi
- Scipione Borghese
- Paola Goretti
- Carlotta Passarini
- Tiziana Roversi
Institutions
- Edizioni Minerva
- Pinacoteca di Imola
- Galleria Borghese
- Cappella Farnese di Palazzo d’Accursio
Locations
- Bologna
- Italy
- Rome
- Ponte Santo
- Imola