Who Were the Female Artists in the Renaissance Period?

Female artists began to emerge during the Renaissance period. Since they were not able to receive formal training, many of these female artists were trained by their fathers. Many of them started painting at a young age and became successful artists.

Lavinia Fontana

Lavinia Fontana was an Italian painter during the Renaissance period. She was trained by her father, Prospero Fontano, a painter of the School of Bologna. Lavinia Fontana painted a variety of religious scenes, portraits and nudes. She is known for paintings such as "Consecration to the Virgin," "Holy Family" and "Birth of Virgin."

Fede Galizia

Fede Galizia was an Italian painter who was trained by her father, Nunzio Galizia -- a portrait painter. Fede Galizia established herself as a painter by the age of 12. She was a portrait artist known for her attention to detail and also painted religious and secular paintings. She painted pieces such as "Still Life with Peaches" and "Judith With the Head of Holofernes."

Mary Beale

Mary Beale was an English painter during the Renaissance period. She studied under the artist Robert Walker and became a successful portrait painter. Mary Beale painted "Portrait of a Woman With a Black Hood," and is often known as the first professional female English painter.

Elisabetta Serani

Elisabetta Serani was an Italian painter and engraver during the Renaissance period. She is known for her paintings such as "Assumption of the Virgin," "Baptism of Christ" and "Madonna with Child and Infant Saint John." She died at the age of 27, having created over 170 paintings and 14 engravings.