By DARLA MCCAMMON
Executive Director, Animal Welfare League

WARSAW — Lavinia Fontana was born in 1552 in Bologna, Italy, to her mother and father (Prospero Fontana) who was a well-respected painter in the Art School of Bologna.

Her father became her teacher, thus her oeuvre (life’s work) was one of the largest in the world for any female artist in her generation. It included over 100 works of art and becomes even more astonishing when one learns she had 11 children after she married a fellow artist from an aristocratic family at age 25.

Her husband, Paolo Zappi, became her assistant, painting backgrounds, such as draperies, for some of her works of art. They worked out a good arrangement in which Zappi also managed their very large family of eleven children. It was a good thing that the Papacy in Rome made her their official painter as she became the breadwinner for her large brood and her husband.

Fontana had an acknowledged ability to create works that showed amazing detail in the sumptuous clothing and jewelry worn by Noblewomen and important persons she immortalized with her famous portraits. It is said she was the first woman artist who was able to work on an equal plane with male artists of the time and was not restricted to a court or convent. She was also the first female artist to paint female nudes. A large number of her works were commissioned by individuals of importance in Bologna along with many of the individuals who had associations with the University of Bologna.

Fontana moved with her large family to Rome in 1603. This was due to an invitation from Pope Clement VIII. Her association with the various Popes solidified her reputation. Their patronage was an implied blessing and her art business thrived. She was awarded a number of honors, one of which was a bronze medallion, a portrait, cast by sculptor Felice Antonio Casoni.

Often considered her masterpiece, her self-portrait, belongs to Count Zappi of Imola, the family of her husband. Fontana’s portrait of herself is said to “strike a balance between presenting the artist as a distinguished lady and as a professional artist.“

Many dual roles were commonly portrayed for female artists during this era. Another of the famous women artists we will discuss in a future column, Sofonisba Anguissola, was also portrayed as such a duality and may have been an influence on the career of Fontana. Fontana was beloved and revered in her adopted city of Rome. She died there in 1614.

Upcoming and Current Events:

• The 92 County Art Show held annually at Honeywell Center will be open this month.
• The Kim Rieff exhibit is now up and hanging at Warsaw City Hall. Rieff is an excellent artist and directs and teaches art at Grace College. Come see her vivid and beautiful work. You can visit this gallery from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Main floor.
• Lakeland Art Gallery: Closed for the season. Watch for grand opening at new location.

Members Art Show and competition will be first big event. Stay tuned at Facebook or www.lakelandartassociation.org.
Contact your author/artist Darla McCammon at email: [email protected]. Or website at www.darlamc.com or you can Facebook a connection at darmccammon.