Women artists: Rosalba Carriera

Interesting workshop at the National Gallery looking at the life and work of Rosalba Carriera. One in a series of afternoon’s on women artists.

The session was led by Lucrezia Walker and she was very good at putting the work of this acrylic portrait artist in the context of the time. She pointed out how Carriera’s background meant that she had to build a life for herself and how she approached her art in a very business-like way. I loved the idea that Carriera realised that sitting for a portrait could be boring so she encouraged people to bring their friends along and ran the studio like a literary salon. No wonder all the people in her work look like they are having fun.

I was particularly interested in the idea of her going off to the French court to work taking with her most of her family. Her brother in law was also an artist and her sisters helped her in her work. What an exciting trip that most have been.

In the second half we went to the gallery to look at their Carriera portrait, a lovely delicate picture of a young gentleman. We also looked at other pictures nearby which would have been acquired by travellers on the Grand Tour.

Back in the seminar room there was a good Q&A session plus Lucrezia had brought along some pastels so we could see and feel what they were like to work with. I hadn’t realised quite how difficult were to work with as your hand can easily wipe out what you have already done.