Schilderende vrouw tussen engelen (personificatie van de schilderkunst) 1631 - 1705

Giuseppe Diamantini created this etching, “Painter Among Angels,” sometime in the 17th century, when debates about the status and meaning of art were raging across Europe. The image shows a female artist, nude, accompanied by heavenly figures. In countries like Diamantini’s native Italy, academies of art were gaining influence, and the classical idea of the artist as a divinely-inspired genius was ascendant. The imagery here is interesting, in that it equates the artist with a classical muse, thus elevating the status of art. However, it also poses questions about who is allowed entry into this elite club. By the 17th century, the question of women's access to artistic education was a hot topic, and the nakedness of the figure, and the implication that her ‘genius’ is divinely conferred, does little to challenge the status quo. Understanding works like this means looking at the archival records of the academies, and reading contemporary debates about art and artists. This is how we bring the social and institutional context to bear on the history of art.