Women Artists in Europe Before 1800: Maria Sibylla Merian and Giovanna Garzoni

Start: March 5, 2025 12:00 pm
End: March 5, 2025 1:00 pm

Cleveland Museum of Art
Address:
11150 East Blvd.
Cleveland, OH – 44106-1797

Admission Price: Free

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What did it take to become a professional artist as a woman during the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Europe? Giovanna Garzoni (Italian, 1600–1670) and Maria Sibylla Merian (German, 1647–1717) are among a handful of women from the early modern period who gained fame as artists during their lifetimes. Two works by Garzoni and Merian, both in the CMA’s collection, are discussed in light of what they reveal about each artist’s training, media of choice, and personal “branding.” Discussion of additional works by female artists in the CMA’s collection helps paint a broader picture of the various paths by which women became professional artists in Europe before 1800.