DUBLIN.- The National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin announced an exhibition dedicated to 16th-century Bolognese artist Lavinia Fontana (1552 – 1614) – Europe’s first commercially successful female artist.

Dr Aoife Brady, Curator of the exhibition, said: “The National Gallery of Ireland is delighted to present the landmark show Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker, the first monographic exhibition of the artist’s work in almost 30 years. This exhibition will showcase over 60 remarkable works drawn from across Europe and the United States, both from galleries and private collections, and is the largest known display of Fontana’s works to date. The exhibition will also include a number of Renaissance manuscripts, textiles and decorative arts, which will make for a truly all-encompassing experience for visitors.”

This is the first monographic exhibition to examine Fontana’s work in over two decades, and the first to focus on her portraits, for which she was renowned. It brings together a selection of about 45 of her most highly regarded paintings and drawings from international public and private collections, along with rare books, textiles, decorative arts, and manuscripts, to explore her extraordinary life and the 16th-century world in which she worked.

Dr Aoife Brady continued: “Fontana truly was a trailblazer for women artists, her story is still inspirational and paves the way for a society we still aspire to today. Unable to study in artists’ academies like her male contemporaries, she learned her trade from her father, before running her own workshop. She continued to actively work throughout motherhood and had 11 children during the course of her career, while serving as her family’s main breadwinner. A trailblazer both then and now, she continues to be a source of inspiration to women everywhere.”

A ground-breaking artist of her time, Fontana is widely considered to be the first female artist to achieve professional success beyond the confines of a court or a convent. Fontana was the first woman to manage her own workshop, and the first woman to paint public altarpieces and the female nude. She maintained an active career, painting for many illustrious patrons, while also taking on the role of wife and mother.

Exploring Fontana’s extraordinary life through her paintings and drawings, the exhibition offers insight into the cultural climate that enabled her to flourish as a female artist of the period.

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director, National Gallery of Ireland, added: “Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker is a remarkable exhibition celebrating one of the world’s first - and most successful - female artists. Fontana succeeded professionally at a time in Europe when most women’s lives were very restricted. This unique show, drawing together artworks from across two continents, offers insights into the exceptional life of this talented Renaissance artist. We hope it will enable her paintings and drawings to be better known and better appreciated.”

A highlight of the exhibition is the artist’s celebrated The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon (1599), from the Gallery’s own collection, on display following an 18-month conservation and research project supported by Bank of America.

Fernando Vicario, CEO Bank of America Europe DAC and Country Executive for Ireland at Bank of America said: “The arts are intrinsic to society, playing an essential role in our well-being, and helping communities to attain greater cultural understanding. Lavinia Fontana is widely recognised as one of the most renowned and respected female artists of the Renaissance and Bank of America is delighted to partner with the National Gallery of Ireland once again to support the exhibition of her work Trailblazer, Rule Breaker. We greatly look forward to this show and the opportunity to understand one of the creative pioneers of the sixteenth century.”