Art, religious art, Research, women of the bible

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Who was Saint Catherine of Alexandria? According to the Christian tradition she is a saint and virgin, who was martyred in the early 4th century at the hands of the emperor Maxentius. Conforming to her hagiography she was both a princess and a noted scholar who became a Christian when she was 14 years. She… Continue reading Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Art, Artists, Pre-Raphaelite, Research, Who was/is

Who was Elizabeth Siddal?

Elizabeth Eleanor Siddal, better known as Lizzie Siddal, was an English poet and painter, however she is better known for being the model of famous paintings of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, such as Ophelia by Millais. Self-portrait by Lizzie Siddal in 1854 Siddal was named after her mother. Her parents were Charles Crooke Siddal and Elizabeth… Continue reading Who was Elizabeth Siddal?

Art History, Photography, Research

Photography by Lady Eastlake

Elizabeth Rigby or as she is better known, Lady Eastlake, was a British author, art critic and art historian who made regular contributions for the literary and political periodical Quarterly Review. She is also famous for her significant role in the London art scene. In 1842, she moved to Edinburgh with her mother and sister,… Continue reading Photography by Lady Eastlake

mythological art, Research, women of literature, women of mythology

Penelope

Penelope is one of the most remembered characters of Homer’s Odyssey. Her name has always been associated with marital fidelity. She is the wife of Odysseus, well known for her fidelity to her husband while he was absent, despite having a legion of suitors. Her name has been understood as combination of the Greek word… Continue reading Penelope

Artists, Painters, Research

New-born baby in a crib by Lavinia Fontana

The representation of children and babies throughout the history of art varied over the centuries; there are imagined scenes of play, images of loss and hardship and, of course, the traditional portraits. Looking at them helps us to understand the own concept of childhood at different periods of time. Some of the earliest depictions of… Continue reading New-born baby in a crib by Lavinia Fontana