La gloria del sesso donnesco: a imagem do feminino em Elisabetta Sirani na Bolonha do século XVII

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the insertion of Elisabetta Sirani in seventeenth-century Bologna. To this end, three axis were considered: her trajectory, the artistic context of Bologna in the seventeenth century, and the analysis of seven of her works. The first part of the study covers the period in which she was active, detailing her training and the importance of the familial and artistic environment that surrounded her. The second part addresses elements of Bologna’s culture, with special attention to the role of figures such as the Carracci family and Guido Reni, who influenced the local artistic scene. Finally, the analysis of the seven selected works focuses on the representation of the female figure, a central theme in her production. The dissertation examines the ways in which women are presented in her paintings, highlighting both formal aspects and the personal and contextual motivations that guided her choices. The study seeks to understand how Sirani’s work reflects and discusses the values of her time, emphasizing her significant contribution to the art of the period.