Episode #100: Bits of "Breaking Barriers": Lucia and Elena Anguissola (Season 12, Episode 1)

For this season of ArtCurious, I’m doing something a little bit different. I’m treating you to renditions of eight of my favorite segments from Breaking Barriers: Women Artists of Renaissance Europe, my online course found exclusively at avid.fm. Every other week through January, I’ll share selections from Breaking Barriers, and encourage you that if you like it, you can purchase the whole course. Today, I’m sharing a story about the family of one of the most well-known female artists of the Renaissance. You might know a bit about Sofonisba Anguissola--but how much do you know about her sister, Lucia? And how about another Anguissola daughter? From Breaking Barriers: Women of Renaissance Europe, please enjoy “Lucia Anguissola (and Elena Anguissola): In Their Sister’s Footsteps.”

CURIOUS CALLBACK: Episode #20: Sofonisba Anguissola: Great (Woman) Artist

Hi listeners! I’ve been traveling over last month, and am preparing to hit the road again, and to begin sharing new episodes to your feed next week. So, things have been a bit busy over here. So while we put the finishing touches on next week’s episode, I’m re-airing one of my old favorites from the first season of the podcast. And guess what? It’ll prepare you nicely for the next season. Wink wink. Today, I’m returning to share the story of Sofonisba Anguissola, one of the most prominent female artists of the Italian Renaissance.

CURIOUS CALLBACK: Episode #61--The Coolest Artists You Don't Know: Angelica Kauffman

Hi listeners! I’m traveling this month and so I am re-airing some older episodes for you to enjoy here once again. In celebration of our recent “Cherchez La Femme” season, I’m choosing three of my favorite episodes on female artists-- and, hint hint, the last of these episodes refers directly to our upcoming season, so keep your eyes peeled for that one next month. Today, though, I’m returning to tell the story of Angelica Kauffman, one of the prized painters of the 18th century.

Author Interview: Eden Collinsworth's "What the Ermine Saw: The Extraordinary Journey of Leonardo da Vinci's Most Mysterious Portrait"

I’ve got a great interview for you today— this time, I’m featuring a conversation with Eden Collinsworth on her fascinating book, What the Ermine Saw: The Extraordinary Journey of Leonardo da Vinci's Most Mysterious Portrait. This extraordinary work of narrative non-fiction traces the remarkable history of Leonardo da Vinci’s enigmatic portrait: The Woman with an Ermine, from its original creation, including the fascinating story of its subject, Cecilia Gallerani, and on to its mysterious disappearance for 250 years after which it emerged in the hands of an aristocratic Polish family. Now on display in Krakow, the painting was exiled in Paris, and kept hidden from the Nazis by a brave housekeeper. These defining moments in history comprise a portrait of Europe’s past as vivid and complex as the painting itself.

The magic of Collinsworth’s book is the powerful combination of research-based non-fiction— reminiscent of Walter Isaacson (Leonardo da Vinci) and Mary Gabriel (Ninth Street Women)— with a character-driven narrative that will keep readers glued to the page until the very end. Perfect for fans of Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch or Céline Sciamma’s film Portrait of a Lady on Fire, What the Ermine Saw pulls back the curtain on the fascinating history behind the astonishing portrait.