Properzia De Rossi Project Analysis

The female artist I would like to write my week one journal about is Properzia de' Rossi. De Rossi was born 1490 in Bologna to a notary named Giovanni Rossi. I could not find any information about her mother or her upbringing. De Rossi face addition obstacles pursuing art due to no previous training, unlike her female counterparts whose fathers were artists and guided their hands. Later, she did have the privilege of learning from the Bolognese master engraver and artist Marc Antonio Raimondi, as well as studied at the University of Bologna. Under, Raimondi, De Rossi studied music, painting, poetry, dance, drawing and classical literature. Undecided about how she wanted to express herself through her art, she tried her hand at sculpture

Rossi early pieces were small but complex sculptures, custom from stones fruit pits such as from cherries, peaches, and apricots. A Crucifixion in a peach pit was the most famous out of all the small sculptures. Later, De Rossi graduated to working larger scale projects. Her marble projects would go to make her famous. Her hard work would pay off as she beat out fellow male counterparts to win a competition to create a sculpture for the west façade of San Petronio in Bologna. This was a major hurdle not just for her, but also for women in general. Records would show that she was hired to create three Sibyls, two angel pieces, and a set of bas-relief panels, including a panel to illustrating the biblical story of Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife. Many feel that this was her most famous piece of art. In the scene, Joseph try’s to leave the wife of an Egyptian officer. Additionally, Joseph retreating from his seductress was an eminent subject matter in the early days of the Counter-Reformation, communicating the dangers of wickedness related with female nature. The panel of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife is truly a work to behold. This piece really displayed Rossi’s knowledge of antiquity. She brilliantly executed musculature along with classical

While it is uncertain about what her role was prior to pursuing a career in art, whatever it was played a significant role in her creative expression. Unfortunately, like so many other female artists during this time, we know very little about her. Some of her art is still in circulation and on display. Some of her relief work is located at some of the Bologna churches. Rossi along with other women artists created art in a time when society rarely took women seriously in affairs outside of the home. Yet, Properzia de Rossi proved that she could transcend in a male-dominated profession. Her creative volume was small as far as we know, but what she did create was nothing short of prodigious, not just for a woman, but also for any artist. De Rossi along with other women artists, did not let gender ideology of that time, hinder them in doing what really wanted to do, create. Sadly, de Rossi health took a turn for the worst at a very young age. This explains the low volume of artwork that she created. She is believed to have been a victim of the plague in 1529. She later died on February 24, 1530, penniless, and without close relatives and friends. She died on the same day as Charles V's coronation by Clement VII. Clement VII was informed that de' Rossi was a "noble and elevated genius,” and was told of her death as he was on his way to meet her. She will