[Giovanna Clairval]

Thank you, fellow Chrons.

There are lots of exhibitions on female painters around the world as we write, so I thought our favourite forum should tune in.



1) Lavinia Fontana (1552-1614)

"Ritratto di una nobildonna" (Portrait of a Noblewoman)

It is (probably) the portrait of a Bolognese woman in her wedding gown. Red was the traditional wedding colour, as in classical Rome. In fact, the custom of wearing white dresses is very recent; white became popular in the nineteenth century.

2) And another painting by Josefa de Ayala (Josefa de Óbidos) (1630-1684)

So graceful...