Women artists often tried their hand at painting lofty subjects, but their knowledge was mostly secondhand and supported solely by viewing other paintings. Since women painters were excluded from higher forms of artistic training, their experience of the world was often limited to the domestic sphere and household objects, or to religious works. Several noteworthy Italian woman artists made significant early contributions to the still-life genre, whose appeal did not exsit until the 16th century.
SUOR PLAUTILLA NELLI (1523–1588)
The Last Supper, which hangs in the refectory of Santa Maria Novella, (not open to the public) depicts objects on a table, surrounded by Christ and the apostles. While her male figures lack intensity, the viewer can truly appreciate the rich clarity of the archaic still-life portion of the painting. There is the touch of familiarity in the accents of the table cloth and its creases, the bread and the bowls of greens (perhaps baccelli—peas), the salt cellars and the glasses of water.
FEDE GALIZIA (1578–1630)
Fede Galizia painted the first signed and dated still-life by an Italian artist. At least 44 of her 63 attributed works were still-life paintings. Unlike most still-life works of the time, which depicted lavish displays of wealth, her paintings focus on simple, elegant objects and rely heavily on color and form. Her attention to shadow, light and texture was unrivaled—in fact, many still-life works today still draw their influence from her original ideas. To my knowledge, there are no works by Galizia in Florence, although several can be currently viewed in Milan.
GIOVANNA GARZONI (1600–1670)
A famous miniaturist from Ascoli Piceno, her exquisite tempura paintings, on parchment, are faithful reproductions of nature, which often depict glorious flowers or fruit overflowing ceramic bowls. Her addition of animals and insects—all in minute detail—blend scientific realism with luscious decorative undertones. Garzoni was a favorite of the Medici court, and she lived in Florence from 1642 to 1651, under the patronage of Ferdinand II de’Medici and his wife Vittoria della Rovere. She produced 20 small paintings, now in the Galleria Palatina of the Pitti Palace. Several other noteworthy works by Garzoni are in the Uffizi. Don’t miss seeing her work!
In her delectable book titled Florentines – Giovanna Garzoni 1600–1670, Lorenza de’Medici presents an array of savory Tuscan recipes, accompanied by Garzoni’s beautiful still-life paintings of fruits and vegetables. A delicious book for the eyes!
MARGARITA CAFFI (1650–1710)
Very little is known about Caffi, except that she created a new genre that was quite successful. She was particularly famous for her flower garlands that framed faces, animals and decorative designs. She would infuse her canvas with light and swirls against a dark background—a style that was not common to flower paintings of that time. Caffi enjoyed the patronage of both the Medici court and the court of Innsbruck. Thirty flower paintings have been attributed to her. Unfortunately, the paints she employed have deteriorated over time and many of her works have not survived. The two that hung in the Uffizi suffered damage in the 1993 bombing.
