Bueno, la modelo de la pintura es Tognina Gonsalvus que nació en la Isla de Francia en 1572 y fue una de las hijas de Petrus Gonsalvus, o sea el Salvaje Gentilhombre de Tenerife. La niña, como su padre, padecía de hipertricosis.
Pero vamos al grano. El cuadro, pintado por Lavinia Fontana (Bologna 1552) en 1583, el pasado 4 de junio fue subastado en Francia por la cantidad récord de 1,55 millones de euros. El lote había estado valorado en no mas de 120,000 euros. No solo es un récord para los cuadros de Fontana sino que demuestra que las artistas de la antigüedad están ganando cada vez mas y mas terreno. Esto ayuda también a las mas modernas y las de ahora, si siguen creando con la misma inspiración, energía y talento.
Debemos conocer que Lavinia Fontana fue una de esas pocas que si obtuvo reconocimiento como un pintora en su época. Fue la primera mujer (que se conoce) de la historia del arte que tuvo su propio atelier, además tuvo encargos desde España y fue nombrada pintora pintora oficial del papa Clemente VIII.
La subasta fue hecha en el castillo de Artigny, cercano a Tours, por la casa francesa Rouillac.
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Well the model, Tognina Gonsalvus, born on the Isle de France in 1572, and the daughter of Petrus Gonsalvus, the Gentil Giant of Tenerife, was born with hypertrichosis, like her father…
But let us get to the point here. The painting, by Lavinia Fontana (Bologna 1552) was completed in 1583 and on June 4, 2023, it sold at auction for 1,55 million euros. The lot had been appraised at no more than 120,000 euros. This is not only a record for the works of Fontana but a major accomplishment for women artists of the remote past whose works are gaining more and more value. This will help all women artists, and if the contemporary ones create with such energy and talent, it will certainly help them gain parity with male artists.
Let me explain that Lavinia Fontana was one of those rare examples in the existence of women in Art History. She received recognition in her lifetime as an artist. She was the first woman artist (that we know of) who had her own studio. She received various commissions from Spain and was appointed the official painter to Pope Clement VIII.
The auction was held at the Castle of Artigny, nearby Tours by the French Auction House of Rouillac.
Lavinia Fontana (Bologna 1552- Roma 1614)
Aquí os dejo el vídeo que le he dedicado a otra gran mujer artista…
And here I leave you with the video that I dedicated to another great woman artist…
Gracias…
Cheers…
JaZzArt en València 
Thank you for your on-going tribute to women artists. Wonderful service you are providing.
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Thank you Pat for saying that. I do think it is a service in the sense that for so long women artists were mostly ignored. When people were asked to name a woman artist the only name that they could come up with was Frida Kahlo and that was, probably, because of all the Frida merchandising. But no one could name the good women artists, the extraordinary ones, the ones from art history or the ones from the present. In art school they were never talked about and it is time that changed. I know I am not the only one out there, there are many good blogs and YouTube channels where women artists are featured and they must be included in art curriculums at every uni as well. Take good care Pat and all the best, cheers.
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Wishing you the same. Happy Wine time.
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Salut!
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Lavinia Fontana is an amazing artist. Her work was exhibited at the National Gallery of Ireland during the summer, but I never made it to Dublin to see it. Thanks for sharing, and have a lovely weekend 🙂 Aiva xx
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If you ever have the opportunity to see her work in person, take it, it is totally different from looking at it on the internet. Thank you so much Aiva and all the best.
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👍 great
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Greetings Satyam and thank you so much! All the best.
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