Painting̶n̶n̶e̶

Lavinia Fontana, Child in His Bed, 1583, Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna.

In art history, women artists have often been overlooked or undervalued. When art historian Linda Nochlin asked the question “Why have there been no great women artists?” in 1971, she challenged the notion of who gets a place in art history. Painting̶n̶n̶e̶ continues this discussion by highlighting those who were renowned in their own time but have since fallen out of the narrative.  

How could women become artists at a time when education, workshops and academies were largely reserved for men? The exhibition explores, among other things, how female artists found their way into the profession and established themselves in the community. By following their education, networks and choice of motifs, “Painting” provides a new perspective on art history.  

The exhibition, developed in collaboration with the Galleria Borghese in Rome, presents around 50 works by female artists from Northern and Southern Europe. Through religious motifs, portraits and still lifes, the audience will experience artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Clara Peeters, Michaelina Wautier and Lavinia Fontana side by side with works by their teachers.  

 “Painting” connects historical artistry to questions that are still relevant today: visibility, recognition, access to education, and who defines artistic quality. Through encounters with the artists in the exhibition, the audience is invited to discover a richer and more complex narrative about art in Europe.  

The exhibition will be on display at the Galleria Borghese in Rome from March 15 to May 30, 2027.