A woman’s hand reshapes the world, historic painter Giovanna Garzoni galvanizes today’s artists with worldwide ‘challenge’

To usher in the Uffizi Galleries’ upcoming exhibition dedicated to the Baroque painter, Advancing Women Artists (AWA) – with the support of the Uffizi Galleries and The Medici Archive Project – is launching an appeal to present-day artists and institutions around the world to create original works inspired by Giovanna Garzoni’s rich oeuvre.

In anticipation of International Women’s Day, as the world prepares to remember and recognize the achievements of women, Advancing Women Artists (AWA), with the support of the Uffizi Galleries and the Medici Archive Project, initiates a worldwide challenge spotlighting female creativity.

It is a call to today’s artists to use the art of #giovannagarzoni (1600-1670) as a springboard to create their own original works. One of the most representative painters of the seventeenth century, Garzoni, will soon be the leading lady of a retrospective exhibition at the Pitti Palace, in Florence (beginning March 10). Cultural and educational institutions from all over the world are invited to take part in this ‘challenge’. As of today, a short teaser spotlighting the show will be available for viewing on the websites and social media channels of the Uffizi, AWA and the Medici Archive Project.

A woman of her time, #giovannagarzoni (1600-1670) exemplifies the seventeenth-century interest in scientific details and meticulous realism, but her ‘miniaturist’ eye focuses on a broader vision. Garzoni’s art brings together the cultures of England, Japan, Mexico, China and much more; in her luminous still life works, shells gathered on distant beaches are combined with precious blooms growing in the jungle. Luscious fruits picked in the front garden are matched with porcelain from the Far East. The artist captures ‘the Universe in a painting’, immortalizing artefacts from all over the globe whilst continuing to capture local specimens.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Until April 8th, artists and institutions interested in participating can register by filling out a simple online form, providing basic information about their Women’s Day event and specifying the medium in which they will produce their original artwork. To participate and gain access to the exhibition trailer, please register here. 

THE CHALLENGE’ LIVE ON MARCH 9, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE EXHIBITION

On March 9 the ‘challenge’ will be launched live, during the Press Conference/Inauguration of the Garzoni exhibition, in the Pitti Palace’s famed Sala Bianca. During the Florence event, the Galleries’ director Eike Schmidt will discuss the concept of the Uffizi as a ‘living museum’ and illustrate efforts made in recent years to highlight art by women. Exhibition curator Sheila Barker will give a brief presentation on the theme ‘The universe in a painting’ as related to Garzoni’s work, especially the works on display in this show. AWA Director Linda Falcone will ‘launch’ the challenge, with a variety of ‘photographed’ examples by selected local and international artists.

PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS

A growing list of 2020 participants from various ‘walks of knowledge’

Embassy of Italy in Washington DC and Italian Cultural Institute, The Women's Art Library, part of Goldsmiths University of London’s Special Collections and Archives. University of Dublin Foundation for Italian Studies at the Newman Theatre with UCD Alumni Relations as part of the “BetterforBalance. University of Texas’ Rio Grande Valley School of Art in Edinburg Texas. De La Salle Catholic College in Cronulla, Sydney, Australia. Ludington Area Arts Center in Ludington Michigan, Art History Department at Radboud in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.