The author of a new book on the erotic art of Lavinia Fontana reveals all
The Italian scholar Enrico Maria dal Pozzolo tells us about new discoveries and why the Bolognese painter was an innovator in her field
Italian Mannerist artist Lavinia Fontana's artistry has long been celebrated, but a new book by Italian scholar Enrico Maria dal Pozzolo sheds light on her engaging with sensuality, power and patronage.
Praised as one of Europe's first professional women artists, Fontana was renowned for her empathetic portraits of women and children. However, dal Pozzolo's research reveals that she was an innovator in the field of erotic art. This groundbreaking insight came after the discovery of a large canvas depicting Mars caressing Venus's bottom, found in Madrid's Palacio de Liria in 2007.
Fontana's patrons played a significant role in encouraging her innovative work. After her early years, she exclusively worked on commission, cultivating a network of important patrons beyond her native Bologna to Rome, where she spent her final years. By the 1590s, she was in high demand in Bologna and Rome, a hub of vanguard collection and patronage alongside Caravaggio and Annibale Carracci.
In the new book, "Lavinia Fontana: Erotic Paintings," dal Pozzolo presents this unpublished erotic work, showcasing Fontana's daring and innovative approach. The book also includes reflections on cultural premises, archaeological, and literary influences that inspired her creations, with contributions from Cristina Farnetti.
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